Jonny Wilkinson wants to see England develop more of a ruthless streak
Sunday 6 September 2015 12:11, UK
Jonny Wilkinson was pleased with England's 21-13 win over Ireland but wants to see a more ruthless streak.
Wingers Jonny May and Anthony Watson put England in a commanding position with two early tries that proved enough to overwhelm Ireland 21-13 at Twickenham.
Stuart Lancaster's men hit the gas in an improved showing, desperate to avoid facing their World Cup opener against Fiji in two weeks off the back of two straight defeats.
2003 World Cup winner Jonny Wilkinson was pleased with the improved performance from England and said that the players were stepping up to give Stuart Lancaster and his coaching team a selection headache.
"The way England have won it is big," Wilkinson told Sky Sports. "More and more players are putting their hands up and showing that they can perform. England have come and played a good game plan and tactically they have got it right.
"The issue for me is that they have played against a team that were sub-par today and at half-time this game should have been done.
"There is still work to be done and I think England need that ruthless nature; that killer instinct that says 'right, if you are not here for this challenge then we will move on without you'.
"Ireland came back at 15-13 were right in this game and thinking that they could snatch the win – that should not be happening to this England team at the moment playing at home."
Wilkinson was impressed with England's game management and overall performance in Saturday's clash.
"I thought the back three were great underneath the high ball – they all stood up," added Wilkinson.
"I thought George Ford and Ben Youngs were making good decisions over and over again. There was some excellent offensive kicking going on that created pressure on Ireland under pressure.
"Although Ireland were not quite there, this game still needed to be controlled and those guys brought that today. There is an element of excitement in there as well as when there is something that needs finishing there are boys who can do it."
