Johnson expected to stick with Wilkinson

MARTIN JOHNSON will keep faith with Jonny Wilkinson when he names his England team at noon today to face Ireland at Twickenham on Saturday.

The fly-half has come under intense criticism for his display in England’s laboured 17-12 victory over Italy nine days ago, but Johnson is not easily swayed by public opinion and will hand the Toulon strategist the No.10 shirt .

The critics claim Wilkinson, 30, lacks ideas with ball in hand and stands too deep to inject the pace and dynamism required to break the gain line. In many respects that is a valid argument, but Wilkinson has never really done that job, even in the halcyon days of 2003. Back then he had Matt Dawson and Will Greenwood either side of him to provide the spark and flair that this England side lack.