Jonny Wilkinson wins race for No10 spot

Pitch perfect: Jonny Wilkinson's long hours on the training ground have made him one of the game's greats
10 April 2012

Jonny Wilkinson has won the battle with Toby Flood to be England's starting No10 for the Rugby World Cup after he was handed the role for the final

Mike Tindall captains England in the absence of Lewis Moody and partners Manu Tuilagi in midfield.
The back division features fit-again wing Chris Ashton and Richard Wigglesworth at No9.

Louis Deacon has won the vote at lock ahead of Simon Shaw and Tom Palmer. Andrew Sheridan has
recovered from his shoulder injury and is at loose-head prop.

England team manager Martin Johnson said: "We expect a hugely competitive game in Dublin."

ENGLAND: B Foden; C Ashton, M Tuilagi; M Tindall, M Cueto; J Wilkinson; R Wigglesworth; A Sheridan, S Thompson, D Cole, L Deacon, C Lawes; T Croft, J Haskell, N Easter.

Obsessive Wilko can't resist targets

Wilkinson's craving to be the best rugby player on the planet allowed him to drop the goal which made England world champions and turned him into a sporting superstar.

Eight years on, it is comforting for England fans to know their icon is still battling the obsessive nature that has always driven him on. He will have a key role against Ireland on Saturday and throughout the World Cup as he battles Toby Flood for the No10 jersey.

Tales of Wilkinson's unique quest for rugby excellence portray the England fly-half as the sort of dinner guest you would struggle to accommodate around a table of "normal" people.

He is, after all, the man who does not play an entire round of golf because it means establishing a score for 18 holes that would have to be bettered the next time he took to the course.

If he misses one of his practice kicks at goal, Wilkinson starts from zero again and if the problem persists he could repeat the bizarre option of disappearing behind a bush near the pitch to give himself a stern and private dressing down.

England will want to erase the memory of a 19-9 loss to Wales in Cardiff and avoid another body blow in Dublin, where they failed to win the Grand Slam in March.

After that 24-8 defeat, Wilkinson knew that to make a significant impact at the World Cup, he would have to drive a body, that has somehow recovered from a list of serious injuries normally associated with a nasty car crash, even harder than normal.

Wilkinson said: "If you dangle enough carrots in front of me - wanting me to achieve various targets - then my obsessive side will grab hold of that and then I end up with no free time. I just enjoy shooting for targets and there is always something to do - somewhere to make improvements.

"I have guys around me who tirelessly support this obsession which is just part of me as an individual and it can get unhealthy but I am trying to keep it in check.

"I am going to continue to work hard and try to ensure I peak at the right time. I try not to take 'no' for an answer and fitness is something I have been able to improve compared to speed and it does come down to managing my schedule.

"When it comes nearer to a game you want to ensure you are there with your kicking boots, play calls, handling skills, evasive running, speed, fitness, tackling, strength and power. With all of that, there comes a point when you run out of time and that is why pre-season has always been a period when I can hit all of those targets with the things that don't involve ball in hand. During that time kicking and passing will take a back seat and I can concentrate on running and weights.

"At the moment, I am still a kid in a sweet shop with some free time but also those goals to shoot for."

One target Wilkinson is not so obsessed about is regaining the title of world's top points scorer from Dan Carter, the New Zealand outside-half who is on 1,219, which is 78 ahead of the Toulon No10.

Wilkinson recognises Carter's special talent and expects the New Zealander - injury permitting - to continue going from strength to strength.

"If I am fortunate at some stage to get the record back then I cannot see that lasting for very long because Dan Carter is like a machine and I will let him do his thing," said Wilkinson, who at 32 is three years older than his rival.

"He has years ahead of him and will take the figure to new heights. I have played in some outstanding teams who have allowed me to kick goals and be on the score sheet more often than normal but, now, it's about getting the performances and victories for the team.

"Starting at No10 always gives you a buzz and as I get older it's about embracing these moments because you know how special it is. When you are young, things feels so open ended and the further you get down the line it does mean more every game."

Wilkinson also has praise for Stephen Jones, the 33-year-old fly-half, who has amassed 889 points for Wales.

"Stephen has been around for a similar length of time with Wales and he has a remarkable consistency which is the key," he said. "You don't, necessarily have to do great things all the time but if you are doing good things over and over again under intense pressure it doesn't matter because you cannot drop your standards. He never does and that is why he has played for so long."

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