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Our Personal Rugby Adventures
What are you doing for the world cup? Got a grandstand going on? Touring to NZ? Biggest barbie ever?
Wilkinson's unfinished business 6 views 0 Images
18 December 2012 by Englandfan
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They say never go back, but it is easy to see why the Rugby Odds are touting Johnny Wilkinson for a Lions comeback. Experience is a crucial component of Lions touring squads, which are large enough to contain plenty of options in each position.
Jonny Sexton is the likely first choice fly-half, but the other options are not pressing their cases particularly firmly and Wilkinson is playing as well as anybody at number 10. He is fit and a safe pair of hands, in every sense of the word.
The attractions for Warren Gatland are clear and it might actually be the man himself who is most doubtful about a Lions swansong. Wilkinson has said he would not be able to say no, but there must be a temptation to admit he has less to offer the tour downunder than he would like.
Wilkinson endured a difficult 2011 World Cup campaign, falling well short of his own high standards and it was no surprise that he hung up his international boots at the end of the year. He would have accepted a reduction in his influence on matches in open play, but his poor dead ball kicking was a sign that his time was up at the top level. If he couldn’t excel at his bread and butter, what was the point of continuing?
This might in fact be motivation for the England legend to return – tempting punters to use their Free Bets on the Lions. He might feel that under par performance off the tee in New Zealand was not how he wants to be remembered in international rugby and that he can still replicate his club form with the boot.
Wilkinson also has unfinished Lions business, having missed the 2009 campaign through injury and experienced defeat in 2001 and 2005. A clash with the French Top 14 final might scupper plans of his inclusion, but with coach and player apparently keen on the move, it would be no surprise to see Wilkinson in the famous red at some point during the trip down under.
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