NFL clubs look to take Wilkinson Stateside

American Football chiefs admitted today that they want to talk to Jonny Wilkinson after the World Cup about taking up a lucrative career as an NFL kicker.

Scouts have been keeping an eye on the England fly-half and at least one team, the San Diego Chargers, have sent a scout to Australia.

Wilkinson, who is very interested in gridiron, would have to learn a much quicker kicking technique. In American Football, the ball, which is slightly smaller than in rugby, has to be flicked back and teed up by two team-mates before the kicker strikes it at the posts.

But Wilkinson, 24, clearly has the potential to switch sports because of his concentration under pressure, his attention to detail and his ability to hit the target from a distance.

David Tossell from NFL Europe said: "Jonny Wilkinson has been known to the NFL for a while. We hope to have a dialogue with him to test the water and see what his plans are long term.

"We have heard from a couple of sources that he is intrigued by the game. He would not need much selling. We know he has the mental part of the game - we've seen him do it in front of millions. Hopefully, he could refine the technique."