Wilko: ROG a man for the big calls and big shots

JONNY WILKINSON andRonan O’Gara have a lot incommon, having been the mainstays of their respective national sides for the last decade before finding themselves under threat of being consigned to history by younger, more extrovert fly-halves.

Yet while Wilkinson has graciously accepted he is now England’s second-choice behind Toby Flood, O’Gara is still doing his best to hold off the challenge of Jonathan Sexton.

And many have criticised Declan Kidney for bringing Sexton on for O’Gara after 50 minutes of Saturday’s game in Cardiff.

The Leinster man’s first act was to kick directly into touch, allowing Wales to take the quick — and illegal — lineout that ended with Mike Phillips scoring the match-winning try.

And Wilkinson has hinted that he would favour the elder man when England head to Dublin this weekend knowing victory would secure their first Grand Slam in nine years.

“I know Ronan very, very well, and know he is an enormous competitor and a great guy,” said Wilkinson.

“He is a fabulous talent. He hastaken the game forward in all that he has done. He has been a stalwart. Of course, Jonathan Sexton has shown enormous talent and enormous ability and is undoubtedly the future of Irish rugby. With the two guys there it is a great balance to have, and it is a headache for Ireland’s coaches.

“But when you have a guy like Ronan, with his professional attitude, and the fact that he cannot stand losing, you know that if you put him on the field he will put his hand up and make the big shots and make the big decisions.

“But Jonathan Sexton is someone doing great things, and I think he will continue to take the game forward after Ronan isn’t there.”

And Wilkinson has warned Ireland that this England team bears all the hallmarks of the 2003 vintage. The fly-half was an integral part of that England side as they sealed their first Grand Slam in eight years with a 42-6 victory at Lansdowne Road before winning the World Cup in Australia six months later — and Wilkinson believes lightning can strike twice.

He added: “This team feels similar (to 2003). There are guys here who are pushing the boat out with all the stuff they are doing. They are exciting and enthusiastic, desperate to learn and desperate to get better.”

Meanwhile Mark Cueto admits they cannot allow this opportunity (of a Grand Slam) to pass them by.

The 31-year-old made his England debut in 2004 and has only been in one game that can match Saturday’s in terms of the prize at stake, when England somehow stumbled into the 2007 World Cup Final.

The winger was denied a try by the video referee in the 15-9 to South Africa and as another World Cup looms he insists he is fed up of always being the bridesmaid.

“You play for 10 years in this game and you can count on one hand the number of times you get something tangible out of the game,” said Cueto.

“I am in my seventh year with England and I have never won anything. I am not getting any younger and it is massive opportunity this weekend on a personal level. We are going into probably one of the biggest games an England team have had since that 2007 World Cup final. I massively appreciate playing for England.

“There are plenty of players who have never done it and it is an achievement in itself. I am respectful of that and to win my 50th cap in Dublin will be something special.”