From the Touchlines... Jonny Wilkinson's recall
Martin Johnson was openly accused of favouritism by calling up Jonny Wilkinson to England's 32-man training squad and then allowing him to stay with new employers Toulon rather than team up with the international training camp.
But when this accusation was put to Johnson, he snapped. "Seventy caps, two World Cup finals and 1,000 points went in his favour," said Johnno. "He is a world-class player when fit, which he is. He is raring to go and he just needs games."
He has a point. Wilkinson is not one to boast about his abilities but, when Johnno suggested that at 30 he was not quite yet at his peak, the England No.10 agreed, and this is fantastic news for England. Should he stay fit - and the suggestions are that he finally might - then it can only be to England's gain and there is nothing to stop him being England's first-choice playmaker at the 2011 World Cup.
Johnno is not one for favouritism - his decision to recall Wilkinson and leave out Cipriani might not have been universally well received but he will genuinely believe it is for the best of the national team. Now, as Johnson says, all Wilkinson needs is game time.
Do you think Wilkinson can recapture his best form and would he be your first choice No.10 heading to the World Cup? Or has Martin Johnson been guilty of an old pals act? Post your comments below...
Jonny your a legend. Love ya
Posted by: Amy | 16 July 2009 at 11:52
AS A STAUNCH ENGLAND FAN I WOULD DEARLY LOVE TO BELIEVE THAT WILKINSON'S BEST DAYS ARE AHEAD OF HIM BUT THATS GOT TO BE WISHFUL THINKING HASN'T IT. HE'S GOT SO MANY INJURIES THROUGHOUT HIS BODY THAT HE SHOULD BE THINKING MORE ABOUT RETIREMENT THAN HIS INTERNATIONAL CAREER. I WOULD LOVE NOTHING MORE THAN TO BE PROVED WRONG BY HIM. HES DONE IT BEFORE SO WHOS TO SAY HE WON'T DO IT AGAIN.
Posted by: PETER | 16 July 2009 at 09:21
Martin Johnson said when he became England boss that reputation counted for nothing when he named his team but now he's basically said Wilkinson is being picked on reputation alone. Jonno, you were a great captain but not sure about your coaching ability.
Posted by: TG | 15 July 2009 at 13:39
Why the hell are England having a training camp when there's no match until November. I don't get it. Some of these players will be out of form and out of the squad by the time of these squads. Surely they'd all be better off being at their clubs like Jonny.
Posted by: TagRugby | 15 July 2009 at 10:05
I fully understand what Johnson's doing. He knows that Wilkinson needs to play matches and he'll get that in pre-season with Toulon much more than he will training with England. Wilko knows the England set-up better than anyone and he's such a workhorse that he'll be in such good shape he can slot in and out of the side as he pleases. The only problem is that other players might get stroppy at what they see as favouritism. Johnson's probably big enough, he's about 7foot isn't he?!, to deal with it.
Posted by: Henry Gibbs | 15 July 2009 at 09:03
If he can balance a ball on his fingers like that then he definitely deserves a place in the England set-up. Either that or he should join Chipperfield's Circus. Class.
Posted by: Doug | 15 July 2009 at 08:32