Wilkinson: England need run of wins
Wilkinson: England need run of wins
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Monday, 10, Jul 2006 09:45
Newcastle fly-half Jonny Wilkinson has admitted England need a run of wins against major nations to gain momentum ahead of next year's World Cup.
Wilkinson has not played for his country since dropping the goal which secured the win over Australia in the 2003 final; in which time England have lost 15 of their 26 internationals.
Now with the tournament in France on the horizon, the 27-year-old feels the team needs to put together a series of wins involving the likes of Australia and New Zealand to put them in the right shape to defend their crown.
"It's about trying to get a series of big wins under your belt and getting that feeling that you can beat anyone at any time," Wilkinson told the BBC.
"I don't see why that's going to be a problem as England have got the right coaches and right players."
Wilkinson's playing career has been hijacked since the last World Cup by injuries, and the Falcons player is currently trying to regain fitness ahead of the new season.
He believes he has put his injury problems behind him and he is ready to take to the field once more.
"I'm fit to play now and have been since the start of the summer," Wilkinson said.
"I'm in better shape now for playing than I've ever been."
England's first match of the 2007 World Cup is on September 8th in Lens against the third qualifier from the Americas grouping; probably either Canada or the United States.