Wilkinson still a huge threat, warns Kiss

THE escalating Jonny Wilkinson debate spread across the Irish Sea yesterday and, like Martin Johnson, Ireland defence coach Les Kiss was effusive in his praise of the under-fire out-half.

Wilkinson has been in impressive form for his club Toulon this season but has failed to transfer that form onto the international stage, as was the case a fortnight ago against Italy in Rome.

Such has been the criticism of the number 10, once the golden boy of the British sports pages, that Johnson has accused some of his harshest critics of harbouring agendas.