RFU deny ball conspiracy after Wilkinson digs his heels in

Wilkinson refused two balls he was offered: the first because it didn't have the correct wording and number identifying it as one of six to be used in the match and the second after he noticed a badly stitched seam.

England spotted a practice ball had been given to Wilkinson during the quarter-final win over Australia, raising the possibility of a conspiracy against the 28-year-old.

However, The Evening Standard reports that the first ball Wilkinson rejected was, in fact, a match ball that had not been given the correct wording and number. South Africa and Argentina were made aware of this omission before last night's second semi-final.

A World Cup official confirmed: "Yes, there was a problem with the stitching of the other ball and that can happen but the first ball was a match standard ball and we are happy with the arrangements in place for matches."

With England having to deal with the loss of wing Josh Lewsey for the final after he tore a hamstring in the 14-9 win over France, more concerns about their main point scorer and the tools of his trade are an unwanted distraction.

There are also worries about Mike Catt's back problem which is transmitting pain to the groin area.

Wilkinson said: "I tossed away a ball before my penalty just after half-time. It didn't have a number on it so it wasn't one of the match balls and I wanted to kick a match ball.

"I remember an England game way back and for the drop-kick restart the ball I was given was an older version of the match ball. It was pumped up way too hard and it would not bounce on the drop. Being very young at the time, I just got on with it.

"When I described that to Clive Woodward, he blank-face looked at me and said: 'Why on earth didn't you just chuck it off the field?' That's what I thought: yes, that's important because it's my right as a player. I don't particularly want to have to be dealing with that. But if I have been practising with the matchballs and have a penalty in a World Cup semi-final, it seems sensible that a matchball is the one I kick."

Wilkinson admitted he struggled to sleep on Saturday night after the match because the adrenaline was still pumping around his body from the victory.

"I am proud that we did it and pleased to have done my job," he told the Times. "But I am so proud of the entire squad.

"I remember before we left England I was asked: 'Do you think you can do well in this tournament?' I gave a few reasons why I believed we could. And the comeback was: 'Are you not being unrealistic?' That is the sort of thing we have had to deal with for a long time.

"So I am proud that we have all dug in our heels and dragged that belief right out of ourselves. Even if it has left me feeling a little sick."