Rugby World Cup: Jonny Wilkinson gives England pack extra help

World Cup hero Jonny Wilkinson has used his specialist knowledge to help England prepare for Friday’s tournament opener against Fiji at Twickenham.

The former England fly-half dropped the extra-time goal to win the 2003 final and has been using that skill to help the forwards improve their restart work.

England’s current squad have been impressed by Wilkinson’s ability to still deliver pin-point drop outs during the sessions despite the 36-year-old having retired from rugby last year.

Wilkinson won 91 England caps and his 1,246 points is second in the all-time scoring list behind New Zealand’s Dan Carter.

The former No10 lives in Surrey, close to the England training base at a five-star hotel in Bagshot. Wilkinson uses the hotel gym which allows him regular chats with England backs coach Mike Catt, another of the 2003 Cup‑winning heroes.

Wilkinson told Standard Sport earlier this month: “When I do cross paths with Mike Catt or [backs coach] Andy Farrell we tend to chat a bit, which is great because I feel quite important as they keep me up to date with how things are going and I feel, ‘woah, it’s like being involved again’. I feel I am giving something.”