We want a team of Wilkinsons

Phil Vickery admits he would love to have 22 Jonny Wilkinsons in his squad.

Guinness Rugby Club
Thursdays on Sky Sports

New England captain Phil Vickery has thrown his full backing behind Brian Ashton's Six Nations squad, in particular the inclusion of Jonny Wilkinson.

Wilkinson is one of several World Cup heroes to be drafted in from the cold, alongside the likes of Jason Robinson, Mike Tindall and Mike Catt.

Boasting a record of 817 points from 52 caps, Wilkinson's qualities are there for all to see, and Vickery insists it is vital England get their star fly-half back to his best, even if he is not fit for the start of the Six Nations.

"Looking round the squad, it is exciting and there are a lot of good young players around. Hopefully they'll be given the opportunities and we can build on that," he told The Rugby Club.

"We'd love to have 22 Jonny Wilkinsons, although I don't know how they'd get on in the scrum!

"To see Jonny back is fantastic, I don't think anyone in the game doesn't want to see him pull the shirt back on.

"If he's not ready for Scotland he's not ready, but he just needs to get out and play and hopefully get back involved."

If Wilkinson's inclusion was a surprise, Robinson's selection was perhaps an even bigger shock after more than a year of retirement from international rugby.

The Sale man scored 22 tries in his 39 Test appearances for England, including one in the World Cup final against Australia.

Once again, it is a decision that pleases Vickery, who is adamant Robinson still has a role to play in an England shirt.

"We all know what Jason's capable of, and as I said to the press guys earlier if you had to pick a guy who would give 110 percent for his country Jason would be in that bracket.

"It's great to see him back - he always puts a smile on my face, and I'm looking forward to seeing him again."

You can watch the full interview with Vickery on Thursday's Guinness Rugby Club on Sky Sports 2 at 5.30pm.