Wilkinson cool over England future

November 21, 2008

LONDON (AFP) – England’s injury-plagued World Cup winner Jonny Wilkinson said Thursday that a return to the national team is no longer high on his list of priorities.

The 29-year-old, who was ruled out of the ongoing autumn internationals with a dislocated knee, has looked for help in Buddhism and believes his new spiritual outlook has given him a different perspective on his life and career.

"If I wanted to play for England I could maybe get back in there like I did before, and I could hang in there for a bit and not really enjoy myself," he told the BBC.

"I could squeeze through a few games and spend the end of the week slumming into my pillow and (trying to) find a way to get through, not get much sleep and work towards the next one, finish my career and work out what to do with myself.

"Or I can have a fantastic time, with whichever team I’m with, trying to help them get better, and let the best of me come out."

He added: "The key for me is going out there and playing without fear and being the best I can be.

"If I’m being the best I can be, there is nothing else. It’s irrelevant being an England player or not."

"I used to judge my life on titles. I wanted to play for England and win a World Cup. Well I did those things and I wasn’t happy. That is the point."

Wilkinson also backed the international credentials of his replacement in the England team, Danny Cipriani.

"Danny’s an explosive character who has burst onto the scene with a huge amount of talent, and that talent is ready to come out," Wilkinson said.

"He’s played a lot of games for his club and he’s done well, playing under seriously high pressure. He’s played for England now and he knows what he’s doing.

"I’ve been in the squad when he’s been playing and he’s incredibly authoritative; he knows what he wants, and that’s a great sign of a guy in a decision-making position."

Written By : AFP

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