WILKO: I'M SO HUNGRY FOR MORE

JONNY WILKINSON will start his first game for England in 18 months insisting he has never lost his hunger for international rugby.

England’s 2003 World ­Cup-winning icon has ­battled back from yet another ­serious injury – this time to his knee – to demonstrate the iron will and determination that sets him apart from his peers.

The 30-year-old fly-half wins his 71st cap at Twickenham today, ­adamant he is in the best shape of his life and eager to build on his world record tally of 1,032 points.

It is almost six years since he dropped the goal that bagged ­England the Webb Ellis Trophy and broke Australian hearts.

Countless operations later, Wilkinson has proved the ­doubters wrong and revived his career with a summer move to French ­glamour club Toulon.

Written off more times than any other English rugby player, he has never lost his ­desire to pull on the Red Rose ­jersey.

So it is even more special for Wilkinson to face the Wallabies at Twickenham.

He said: “I could have woken up this morning not knowing where I was, but I knew from how I felt there was something big ­going on this weekend.

“When I think about Australia, I think of a certain ­professionalism, and a major strength in that ­tactically they can work better than any other team.

“You have to be 100 per cent on your toes – as soon as you’re not, they’ll pull you apart. We saw that with the Lions in 2001 when they just ripped us apart.

“It’s always special because they’re always up there at the top of the world game.”

The midfield ­partnership of Wilkinson and Shane Geraghty will be central to England’s hopes of ­creating chances for their quick backs.

They are sure to be tested ­defensively but Wilkinson has faith in Geraghty’s ability to ­survive the Aussie onslaught.

He added: “Because he’s so prominent in every attack that’s launched, people might assume there might be a weakness ­elsewhere, but as far as I can see Shane’s a solid guy.

“Looking at what he’s doing in training, and speaking to the guys at Northampton I was with at Newcastle, he’s got the all-round game.

“The way Shane’s playing shows he has that bigger picture.”

England’s exciting back three of Matt Banahan, Ugo Monye and Mark Cueto will benefit most if Geraghty and Wilkinson do click.

Powerhouse winger Banahan, winning only his third cap, ­believes England’s backs can light up a sold-out Twickenham.

He said: “There’s a lot of talent in the English back three at the moment and the potential for ­exciting rugby.

“Ugo’s on fire and is one of the most talented and improved ­players over the last two years.

“Cueto is always solid and it’s great to be playing alongside two great players.”

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