Jonny is Jenkins' top 10

Wales kicking coach expects Wilkinson to stay as England's number 10

Last updated: 28th January 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Jonny is Jenkins' top 10

Wilkinson: Welsh backing

There are three excellent choices at 10 for England, but I think Jonny will play.

Neil Jenkins
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Neil Jenkins is backing Jonny Wilkinson to go on and beat his kicking record during this season's RBS Six Nations tournament.

The Newcastle Falcons fly-half is closing in on the Welshman's landmark figure of 1090 points for his country and the British Lions.

Despite England coach Brian Ashton insisting Wilkinson is no longer 'untouchable,' with Waps' Danny Cipriani and Sale's Charlie Hodgson waiting in the wings, Jenkins expects Wilkinson to get the nod for England's championship opener against Wales at Twickenham on Saturday.

The 28-year-old superstar needs just 62 points to rewrite Test rugby history and Welsh kicking coach Jenkins fully expects his record to be beaten.

Best

"The guy is outstanding," Jenkins said. "I was lucky enough to be involved with him on the 2001 Lions tour to Australia, and his work ethic is huge.

"If he does break my record, he fully deserves it. I have got no issues with that whatsoever.

"Jonny is probably the best - his record speaks for itself. The amount of points he has scored in 65 Tests for England is incredible.

"Yes, he has played in some good sides, but you have still got to score the points and play as well as you can to stay in the team.

"If Jonny does beat the record, he is more than deserving of it. He's one of the best about."

Threat

Wilkinson is just 18 points short of 1,000 points for England as well and Jenkins is full of admiration for the commitment Wilkinson has shown throughout his career.

Jenkins added: "He was excellent when he came back last year from his injuries - he really led the team well at the World Cup.

"He is a massive threat to us on the weekend. He is a top-class player who scores points for fun, but he knows the game as well. He knows when to kick and when to pass, to do the right things at the right time - he's really key for England.

"Danny is also playing very well for Wasps though. He has got incredible pace and is a different player to Jonny.

"And Charlie Hodgson has been playing well, too. There are three excellent choices at 10 for England, but I think Jonny will play."

Wales, under the guidance of new coach Warren Gatland, are looking for their first Twickenham triumph since 1988, while England are set to confirm their team for the weekend on Tuesday.