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Wilkinson’s recall to the starting XV comes after a disappointing 19-9 defeat to Wales earlier this month. Flood had come into the summer as England’s first choice fly-half, a position strengthen by an impressive Six Nations campaign, but the Leicester Tiger failed to shine during the summer warm-up matches and now Wilkinson has stepped up to reclaim the jersey.
It has come as quite a surprise to see Flood, with Wilkinson spending a year and a half playing a role very different to him coming to off the bench. The Toulon man continued to show he can still more than hold his own on the international stage after all these years and now looks to be given the chance to be a part of another England World Cup campaign.
Since kicking the drop-goal that won England the 2003 World Cup, Wilkinson then went through tough few seasons, in which he seemed especially prone to injury. A move to France appears to have rejuvenated the former Newcastle man and the veteran can still compete with any member of the squad when it comes to fitness levels, something that has been a major factor behind Johnson’s decision. It will be interesting to see how this affect's the England rugby world cup odds.
“However many Test matches he has played or whatever he has done, he is still out there working harder than anyone to be better - whether it is fitness, kicking, tackling, defending, attacking.”
“That is why he is such a great example to everybody. He has played very well. He deserves this game to start.”
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