PERTH // Martin Johnson, the England team manager, yesterday confirmed that Jonny Wilkinson will be fit to play his first international in Australia since landing the winning drop goal in the 2003 Rugby World Cup final in Sydney. Wilkinson has been training on his own since the England squad arrived in Australia after suffering rib damage in Toulon's Amlin Cup final defeat to Cardiff Blues.
But the fly-half has been cleared for a return to action 48 hours earlier than expected, giving England's preparations a major boost ahead of the game against the Wallabies in Perth on Saturday as they chase only their third Test victory on Australian soil. David Strettle, the winger, and Jon Golding, the prop, are also expected to be in contention for Test selection after making good progress from ankle and rib problems respectively.
"Jon Golding, Dave Strettle and Jonny will all resume full training this week," Johnson announced. "They will all be fit by Saturday and if they are fit for full training, they are fit to go out and play." Wilkinson, now 31, played a key role in both England's triumphs in Australia - in June 2003 and then in the Rugby World Cup final. Despite his catalogue of injury problems and the patchy Six Nations form which cost him his place, Wilkinson retains an aura over the Wallabies which England will be anxious to play on.
"Growing up you have your heroes and Jonny was the guy I looked up to as the best fly-half in the world," said Australia's stand-off Quade Cooper. "He still is one of the best and it's a great honour to get the Wallaby No 10 jumper for a Test against him." Toby Flood remains the man in possession of England's fly-half position after taking over from Wilkinson for the final Six Nations game in Paris. But Wilkinson came off the bench that day and almost made a match-winning difference.
Ultimately, France held on to win 12-10 and clinch the Grand Slam - but England's performance was their most adventurous and vibrant of the championship. Johnson admitted that to lose in those circumstances was crushing and he will be reminding his troops of that feeling during the week. "You usually get what you deserve in rugby. When you lose you know you weren't quite good enough -but we lost by two points in Paris and it was sickening," he said.
"It was a really tough one to take but for a team that had some disappointing results and performances before that it was a big effort. "We have got to keep the momentum. We did a lot of good things in that match, we did enough to win the game in terms of chances and territory but didn't win it. "We have to keep doing those good things. That is the key message. It has always been difficult to win in Australia, whoever you are.
"We lost a series here with the British & Irish Lions in 2001 and that was a good team. You have to be a very good team to win matches in the southern hemisphere - that has never been any different and probably never will be." * PA
