RUGBY : Jonny Wilkinson claims he is undaunted by expectation over his England return as he resumes an international career he once feared was over.
Jonny Wilkinson claims he is undaunted by expectation over his England return as he resumes an international career he once feared was over.
Wilkinson has been ravaged by injury since helping England lift the 2003 World Cup but his move to French club Toulon has seen him restored to full fitness. And on the strength of his impressive form he will reclaim the fly-half jersey he once wore with such distinction when Australia, Argentina and New Zealand visit Twickenham next month.
“We’ve had the ‘It’s all right, Jonny’s back’ thing before. It seemed to end rather miserably that time,” he said. “It’s a funny story, but it just doesn’t affect me and my decision-making.”
He added: “You hit every game with absolutely everything you’ve got and keep doing that until the final whistle.
“No-one more than myself looks round the changing room before a game and thinks ‘thank God I’m surrounded by guys like these’.
“My perspective of my own game is one where I just try to use a bit more of my wisdom from the experiences I’ve had.
“What hasn’t changed as I’ve got older is that I want to make the most of every opportunity.
“I don’t like to leave anything in the changing room for a rainy day. I don’t like to save stuff for next week.
“But at the same time, my definition of giving it everything I’ve got has changed a little bit. My younger outlook was running headlong into everything.
“Now I want to use the same energy but by the end of the game I want to make sure I’m in the right position and doing the right things.”
