Jonny Wilkinson calls for England to find consistency before World Cup
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England's flanker Ben Earl is tackled as he runs with the ball during the Six Nations match against France.
PHOTO: AFP
PARIS – Former England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson believes Steve Borthwick’s men need to find consistency in their results and performances, if they hope to be contenders at the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Borthwick’s side are on a four-game losing run and finished fifth in the 2026 Six Nations, after losing to Italy for the first time ever and then suffering a narrow 48-46 loss to eventual champions France on March 14.
Before the string of losses, England had been unbeaten across 12 games, including victories over New Zealand and Les Bleus that placed them as front runners for the Webb Ellis trophy in Australia in 2027.
“With England, the key is to be able to find that kind of performance and intensity whatever the situation,” Wilkinson told reporters in Paris on March 25.
“That performance was a blessing, but it brings with it a level of expectation.
“If they can find that level of performance and then people (will) think that the next World Cup can be huge. If they can find it and secure it, build on it then brilliant, but that needs to be seen soon.”
Wilkinson kicked the winning drop goal as England claimed the 2003 World Cup in Australia under head coach Clive Woodward, still the only triumph by a Northern Hemisphere country in 10 editions.
He retired 11 years later with more than 90 Test appearances and a trophy-laden spell with French club Toulon.
Since hanging up his boots, Wilkinson has remained within sport.
He works as a kicking consultant with England, is a pundit for television and has helped out amateur clubs in France as part of Societe Generale’s YouTube series Terrain Favorable (Home Field Advantage).
England’s next game will be a trip to South Africa in July in their opening game of the new Nations Championship.
The competition will replace the July and November tours with 12 countries competing to reach the finals, to be held in London in late November.
The finale adds an extra fixture to an already busy calendar for players, with France expected to rest key players for their three games in July.
“It could give rugby another dynamic, because right now it’s a bit split between the hemispheres,” Wilkinson added.
“Being able to play against teams like New Zealand, South Africa, Australia not in a disconnected way could be interesting.
“It also depends on the players. Seasons are long; they have to manage it well.” AFP
