'Jonny is England's Zidane'
2007-01-30 13:06
Marcoussis - Flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson, set to play for England against Scotland at the weekend for the first time since converting the winning kick in the World Cup final, received high praise from France coach Bernard Laporte on Tuesday.
The 27-year-old Wilkinson is set to make his first international appearance for over three years, which would be his 53rd cap, in England's opening Six Nations clash at Twickenham on Saturday.
He has endured a devastating run of injuries since kicking the extra-time drop-goal that secured England's World Cup final victory over Australia in Sydney in November 2003 and has since missed the last 30 Tests.
Laporte said of Wilkinson: "If Wilkinson is back to his best, there are few players like him about. He's their (Zinedine) Zidane and when he returned (to the French team), it was much better.
"If he (Wilkinson) returns, it is clear that England are going to perform better. If he starts the match, that will be because he is back to his best. They aren't going to field a player who limps!"
Wilkinson returns to Test duty despite having played barely 50 minutes of club rugby for Newcastle following his recovery from a lacerated kidney and with England desperate to return to winning ways after a run of eight defeats in their last nine Tests.
Wilkinson will not be the only player under the spotlight against Scotland, who last season beat England 18-12 to win the Calcutta Cup.
Former Great Britain rugby league captain Andy Farrell will make his first appearance for England after changing codes.
- AFP