Jonny Wilkinson vowed to return a better player after being dropped to the bench by England.
Dropped fly-half says he still has plenty left in the tank
Jonny Wilkinson vowed to return a better player after being dropped to the bench for England's RBS Six Nations fixture against Ireland on Saturday.
Fly-half Wilkinson was not at his best during last Saturday's 15-9 defeat in Scotland, prompting coach Brian Ashton to hand Wasps youngster Danny Cipriani a chance in the No.10 jersey.
"I had a brief chat with Brian and it's something that I guess happens in all sports," Wilkinson told
Sky Sports News.
"He's the guy at the top, it's his decision and he decided that someone else is there to do a different and better job for the team."
Wilkinson, who has won 69 caps and played in two World Cup finals since making his debut as an 18-year-old in 1998, believes he will respond to Ashton's decision in a positive way.
"It's actually a better thing for me not to agree. Some could see it as a huge negative, some could see it as a huge positive," he added.
"For me, it is one that helps me to find my best self and that's been true of my career from day one.
"I know for a fact - which is what allows me to sit here quite comfortable - that before every game, during every game up until the end and after every game I've done everything I possibly can."
Massive
Cipriani, meanwhile, believes he can bring something different to England's back division when he makes his long-awaited first start.
The 20-year-old was set to play at full-back against Scotland but was withdrawn from the squad after being pictured leaving a nightclub after midnight - in breach of team curfew - in the build up to the match.
"I've been selected for different reasons as a No.10 and am going to try and bring what I can to the game," he said.
"I've worked hard on my pace this week and am going to try and get our backline moving forward
"With the squad that we have we can be up there with the best in the world.
"This weekend is a massive game, there may not be a championship on the line, but for a lot of players this is a massive game to make sure you are in the squad for the summer tour."
