Jonny Wilkinson will flourish amid the expectation surrounding his international return, according to Australia coach Robbie Deans.
Australia coach believes Wilkinson will be unconcerned by hype
England legend Jonny Wilkinson will flourish amid the expectation surrounding his international return, according to Australia coach Robbie Deans.
The Wallabies will face England in the upcoming match at Twickenham where they will defend the Cook Cup, and Deans believes that England will be "dangerous" with Wilkinson in their ranks.
Wilkinson, who has been plagued by injuries for six years but is now back to full fitness, has displayed impressive form at Toulon and his reappearance has provided some consolation for England's substantial casualty list.
Martin Johnson is set to reveal his team for the autumn opener this week and if the 30-year-old is named it will mark his first Test appearance since March last year.
Deans holds Wilkinson responsible for England's 2003 World Cup success and believes the fly-half will bring valuable confidence to the team.
Critical
"I think probably the most critical element is the introduction of Jonny, because that has brought a lot more certainty around the English," said Deans.
"I don't think that expectation will be a big deal for Jonny. He's very experienced - it's not as though he's just arrived on the scene.
"Of course, there will be a lot of expectation on him to play at the same standard that he's renowned for.
"He essentially won England the World Cup, so inevitably there will be a lot of expectation.
"I don't imagine he'll have changed much as a player. We believe England will be more dangerous with Jonny there. He'll bring a lot of shape to their game.
"His influence on his peers will be valuable in terms of the confidence he'll bring to them.
"We expect to meet England at their best - and know that Jonny will contribute to that."
Wallabies veteran fly-half Matt Giteau, who will line up opposite Wilkinson at Twickenham, echoed Deans' sentiments on the England star kicker.
"Jonny's kicking game steers England around really well. He's got a lot of experience and has proved time and time again that he's a big-game player," said Giteau.
"If you're ill-disciplined he's capable of kicking them from anywhere.
"The last time I played him was in 2007 at the World Cup, and you could see the confidence he brought to the side.
"For me, you prepare the best you can - believing Jonny will play the best rugby he is capable of. That's how I'll be facing it."
Vulnerable
England will encounter a vulnerable Australia following the Wallabies' wooden spoon in this season's Tri-Nations, managing just one victory in six matches.
The Wallabies also suffered a 32-19 defeat to New Zealand in Tokyo last weekend to mark their seventh consecutive loss to the All Blacks.
Reports of disharmony in the camp have emerged amidst plans to rebuild the squad ahead of the 2011 World Cup, but Deans is adamant that the team is unified.
"We believe we are united. We are working hard at it. That's the nature of this industry," insisted Deans.
"It's never one-way traffic, particularly when you aren't winning. We haven't been able to beat New Zealand this year - but in many ways we are not too dissimilar to them.
"They have an opponent in the Tri-Nations that they have been unable to beat as well - South Africa.
"International rugby is tough. France came down and beat New Zealand this year, but we were able to beat France.
"England were 29-0 up at half-time against France earlier this year. So who's going to do well at the weekend - who knows?"
