Wilko: England are improving

Fly-half insists England have learnt valuable lessons

By Rachel Griffiths   Last updated: 11th March 2010  

The development individually and as a team has been great to be a part of and so beneficial day to day, but also week to week, and I'm massively pleased with that.

Jonny Wilkinson
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Jonny Wilkinson told Sky Sports that England's ongoing RBS Six Nations campaign has provided a vital learning curve for the team.

England, who won their opening two games of the tournament but fell to a 20-16 defeat against Ireland in their last match, have come under fire for their overall performance in the competition.

However, fly-half Wilkinson, who will line up in Martin Johnson's starting XV for the Calcutta Cup clash against Scotland on Saturday, insists England's triumphs outweigh their disappointment.

Struggle

"I'd struggle to remember a Six Nations where you wouldn't have those two sides of things," Wilkinson told Sky Sports News.

"Ultimately the ratio might have been slightly different in some years, and that's higher and lower.

"I think for me there's been an enormous amount of good stuff."

Wilkinson, who himself has attracted criticism for uninspiring displays in the tournament so far, is adamant England are developing well as a team.

"I've really enjoyed the way the guys have come together as a team," he added.

"I think that does mean huge inspiration going forward and I think what's been great as well has been the learning curve.

"The development individually and as a team has been great to be a part of and so beneficial day to day, but also week to week, and I'm massively pleased with that."

Improvement

Wilkinson, who is set to earn his 77th cap for England at Murrayfield, says on a personal note, self-improvement is as important as chasing victories.

"I'm in a stage of my career where more than ever I'm looking for development, I'm looking to get better, I'm not looking to come out of this and say, 'Let's clock up some wins', although that's exactly what you want," said Wilkinson.

"I'm looking to come out of this and say 'Yes, we want to win everything' but at the same time I want to come out a better player and day to day I feel like I'm a better player for being here."

Comments (9)

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Ian Collins says...

When you read the psycho babble that some of these players come out with you can understand why Johnson wants to keep them away from the press. As these players seem to play with fluency and verve for their clubs, you have to wonder if the whole set-up would be totally transformed if they kicked out the entire coaching staff and got a fresh lot who were all working off the same plan. Johnson is ultimately responsible for this, and needs to address it.

Posted 10:30 11th March 2010

Ben G says...

It's a bit boring to keep having a go at Wilko. We moan that he is injured and want him back, then when he is we moan about him being back! He will get there, give him time and support him. Johnson may have done a lot of things that mae no sense, bu keeping the backlne the same will give them confidence in playing together as a team - even if Fode doesn't get a start! Support the players.

Posted 10:24 11th March 2010

Rugby Fan says...

yes it is the same stuff coming out of the england camp but I believe they are creasting a siege mentality because of all the criticism flying around...it is always the same with england...I remeber Woodward was castigated on a number of occasions, and then what he became a hero because he coached the team to the world cup...it is the trouble with the english as a whole when it comes to any n ational team...criticise criticise but oh when they do well they are good...

Posted 07:34 11th March 2010

Danny T says...

I believe there are too many english supporters that criticise england no matter what they do, everybody needs to stop complaining and get behind the team. The call for a more attacking and ambitious england team with the likes of Young talent such as courtney lawes, ben foden and youngs is great and would be fantastic too see but what if this style of play goes pearshaped and scotland win the england team will get slaughtered by the critcs

Posted 21:01 10th March 2010

Richard Campbell says...

So not much learnt in the autum internationals

Posted 17:45 10th March 2010

Richard Campbell says...

So not much learnt in the autum internationals

Posted 17:24 10th March 2010

Jon Northfield says...

Could Jonny Wilkinson be more dull. He spouts rubbish psych babble about being positive etc. He sounds like Geri Halliwell. Front up and chuck the ball about. Have some set pieces in the backs that don't revolve around giving crash ball to Tait. I am aghast with the English display and hope it improves dramatically

Posted 15:42 10th March 2010

Jim Clark says...

Same old same old from England all the right noises but remains to be seen if they have the substance to back up these words with action against Scotland.

Posted 14:08 10th March 2010

Steve Hunt says...

Yes Jonny, its all very well developing as a team, sadly, you're not judged on how much development there is on the training pitch, you're judged on performances when it matters. a win against Wales 2nd XV, followed by a hugely unconvincing win in Rome, followed by defeat to an (on the day) average Irish performance. What Borthwick's comments after the Rome win, and now Jonny's bizzarre comments above, i'm starting to think Johnno might be better taking up a role in politics as a spin doctor!

Posted 13:47 10th March 2010
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