French ace Betsen pays tribute to ‘simply the best’ Wilkinson
Wilkinson and Betsen know each other well, and have had more than one battle royale in recent years.
Betsen gave the Newcastle fly-half the roughest of rides in an RBS 6 Nations match in 2002, harrying him from start to finish in a masterful back-row performance at the Stade de France.
Wilkinson got his own back in the World Cup semi-final a year later, booting Les Bleus out of the competition in the Sydney rain in a match that saw Betsen yellow-carded for a late hit on the England playmaker.
Wilkinson has recovered from persistent injury problems over the past four years to became England’s mainstay once again. And it is his boot that has guided the world champions into the semi-finals here against the odds.
Betsen, who will look to stop Wilkinson dead in his tracks on Saturday, still regards his old foe as the “best number 10 in the world” and has nothing but respect for the way he has fought back from injury. “He has shown everybody that he is still the best, simply the best,” Betsen said.
“He has shown to everybody that he has been out of action for three or four years but he is still able to be ready for the World Cup. That is great for him.
“I congratulate him for this. It’s an example of professionalism and perseverance.”
The Biarritz back-rower added: “For me, what is important is that I am playing the best number 10 in the world. And it is not just me who must stop him, everybody has a role to play there.”
Betsen was on the receiving end of an accidental knee to the head in France’s sensational 20-18 victory over New Zealand last Saturday, forcing him off after just five minutes.
He has been given the all-clear to play tonight, and he is happy to obey doctor’s orders. “I had tests in hospital and a brain scan in Cardiff found nothing,” he said.
“For me, you can’t play with your own life. If they had said I could not play, then so be it. I would have waited for the next game.”
England and France have laid their cards on the table by selecting unchanged teams for the semi-final.
Kicking is set to dominate the contest and, with Wilkinson around, that will more than suit the world champions.
Betsen knows it will be a battle of the boot, adding: “Four years ago, their game was focused on this direction, and they planned their game on that strategy.
“We saw that last week against Australia, and I think it will be the same again (today)."
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