Wilkinson: I can handle pressure

Jonny Wilkinson today calmed fears over his ability to handle the pressure of Sunday's World Cup semi-final clash with France, insisting: "I can deal with it."

Concern has been growing that England's match-winning outside-half was struggling to cope with the massive level of expectation here in Australia and back in England.

He faced further questions about his form and self-belief at the team's ocean-front hotel in Manly today and later had a heart-to-heart with former England fly-half Rob Andrew.

Andrew is Wilkinson's boss at Newcastle Falcons and is better equipped than anyone to help the player regarded as English rugby's David Beckham with the weight of expectation on his shoulders.

Wilkinson said: "There is always pressure and you have to deal with it in your own way. I have not got a huge opinion about my own game at the moment, although I am slightly unhappy. I don't think I have a corner to turn. The only pressure I feel is coming from within me.

"I never question the fact that I can deal with it and I know the expectations I have for myself, but you cannot predict what it's going to be like during a game."