Bates: Jonny still perfect 10

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Young guns Danny Cipriani, Ryan Lamb and Shane Geraghty could all be named alongside Wilkinson in the elite England player squad on January 2.

Steve Bates, one of Wilkinson's club coaches at Newcastle, said: "I know there is lots of talk about various young fly-halves coming through at the moment, but you would have to go a very, very long way to usurp Jonny."

He added: "Jonny is in excellent form, he is enjoying his rugby and he is in magnificent physical shape.

"You just have to look at the guy every single day in training, which people on the outside don't see. He is in absolutely sensational condition, and he has a huge amount to offer."