Eurosport - Thu, 04 Dec 18:21:00 2008
Jonny Wilkinson has refused to rule out a return to action during the Six Nations.
The England fly-half has suffered a string of serious injuries since his winning kick in the 2003 World Cup final, the latest being a dislocated knee he sustained at the end of September.
The 29-year-old has been out since and will shortly undergo surgery to assess his recovery.
When asked if he could return for the Six Nations, Wilkinson said: "I'm not sure.
"At the moment I'm still waiting to get on my feet, properly move around (which) should be around January time and after that I'd like to think I could come back.
"I hope so, I'm always positive."
England have endured a miserable autumn under new manager Martin Johnson which has seen them lose heavily to Australia, South Africa and New Zealand.
Johnson and the team have come in for a great deal of criticism but Wilkinson has total faith in his former team-mate.
He added to the BBC: "I believe he will be (successful). I don't say that as helping out someone I know, I genuinely believe it.
"To think someone is going to achieve straight away without going through a period of learning and adjustment is ridiculous.
"Johnno is such a clever, astute guy that he will pick up on that learning very quickly.
"I trust the system, I trust Martin Johnson, I trust the coaches and the players."
Comment 2 - 21 of 21
was the best flyhalf in rugby but not anymore sorry to say .
he`s going to say that johnsons the right man for the job cos he wants to play for england again . on saying that what els have england got at flyhalf only cips and he`s not there yet by a long way
he should he should
I have all the respect for jonny staying at newcastle and his tremendous loyalty,but.
If he is to make a comeback he should he should have a fresh start with a new club.
A NEW CLUB AND A NEW START. A complete new begining. or retire. The former for me!
I have all the
I think Wales are doing really well and it would be fab to see them up there with the southern hemisphere big boys but I fear that they have traits of the "All Blacks" syndrome and just peak at the wrong time and somehow it all goes to pieces come the World Cup. However don't forget how long it took for England to build to that win and honestly they did not even play well to win the World Cup. I am a huge and proud England fan though, don't forget we gave Rugby to the world and its always fab to see a strong England team. I think they have a lot of work to do before they even resemble a formidable team, but I am excited to see the quality of the young players coming through. If Johnno can't get them to start firing nobody can. I am pretty confident things will come good soon. Lets just stay behind them and never give up. I hope the best for Wilko - when he gets it right he is truly wonderful to watch.
TJ, Dont really give 2 hoots about what you think!! im proud to be English wether they win or lose. and you just wait till the six nations, we'll see!!
Trufftastic....some things for you to consider....of the six world cups in history england have contested 3 of those finals....winning one....wales have never and will never contest a final, let alone win one. Who knocked them out last year? Figi? HAHAHAHA. Come the next world cup. i know, you know, everybody knows that england will do better than wales, you can go on about current form all you like, but the fact remains that sooner or later england will again be stronger than wales, and i wouildn't be suprised if it happens as soon as the six nations.
He definitely needs to leave Newcastle. Maybe a move similar to the one David Coulthard made when he went from McLaren to Red Bull? Big fish in a small pond scenario. He deserves it.
Jonny wilkinson sud do himself a favour, retire from international rugby. I dont think his body can take the stress of test matches anymore, ideally what he sud do is focus on club rugby, and maybe look for lucrative deal in france. he may aswell go a bigger club and do sumthing different.
Cipriani at fly-half and Jonny at centre - they can swap when Danny's head is on backwards.
louise p.
GET A LIFE WILL YOU, JUST LIKE YOUR FOOTBALL WORLD CUP IS IT, WELL SORT IT OUT YOU CANT WIN ON PREVIOUS FORM PRESENT FORM IS WHAT COUNTS , NEARLY LOST COUNT OF THE POINTS SCORED AGAINT YOUR RUGBY TEAM RECENTLY, WALES IS HEAD AND SHOULDERS ABOVE THE OTHER NORTHERN HEMISPHERE TEAMS . ROLL ON THE 6 NATIONS YOU WILL STRUGGLE AGAINST ITALY .
AS FOR JONNY BOY GIVE IT UP YOU AINT GOT A PACK TO HIDE BEHIND ANYMORE.
TJ. THATS FUNNY HOW MANY WORLD CUPS HAVE WALES WON. ERMMMMMMMM
I think England are at a low and they need their good luck charm. Johnny has been that lucky charm for years. I have seen a poor England win with Johnny's boot in the past. I just ask myself is he up to it fitness wise?
Good on him if he wants to play for his country and is fit enough to do so, good luck Johnny. I hope it isn't desperately grasping at something in the hope of improving a poorly performing side.
Anyone remember "Dusty" Hare?
just the other day Wilkinson was saying he didnt want or need to play for England again ...
'Jonny Wilkinson is perhaps the best fly half in the world but I would prefer to see him retire from international and club rugby whilst he is at the top of his game than risk coming back and then being forced out due to injury as has happened to so many great players.'
Wilkinson has not been at the top of his game since 2003... due to the injuries and time away from rugby he is nowhere near the player he was. To be honest I think he should retire as the last few times he played for England he was just average. Such a pity that injury ravaged his career, as during his prime he was magical.
errrr Peel's a scrum half not a fly half.....and paterson struggles to get first choice for scotland (admittedly world class team and therefore difficult to get into)...and on the subject of his kicking, not sure about all the time, but certainly during the last world cup he had some other chump to take the difficult kicks cause he couldn't kick it far enough.....so suprisingly he got the best kicking percentage.....Nowhere near Wilkinson's all round class
Disagree about Jonno being best fly half in the world. try the welsh ones eg Duane Peel
TJ
Proud to be Welsh
On the subject of Kickers I only have one thing to say Chris Paterson
lad your both rong im an all black and i tink o gara is the best kicker ahead of carter
Well, it's been proven that we miss him badly. After seeing Carter's display with the boot at Twickenham, he is still the best kicker in the game - and we need him the now
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