England no longer a goal for Wilkinson

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The World Cup-winning fly-half revealed earlier this year that he had found inner peace through Buddhism, and he claims that his new spiritual outlook has made him reassess his career goals.

"If I wanted to play for England I could maybe get back in there like I did before, and I could hang in there for a bit and not really enjoy myself," he told BBC Radio Five Live.

"I could squeeze through a few games and spend the end of the week slumming into my pillow and (trying to) find a way to get through, not get much sleep and work towards the next one, finish my career and work out what to do with myself," he added.

"Or I can have a fantastic time, with whichever team I'm with, trying to help them get better, and let the best of me come out."

Wilkinson, 29, was ruled out of England's autumn internationals with a dislocated knee which is set to keep him out of action until next spring.

But when the Newcastle number 10 regains full fitness, he will be perfectly happy to play out the rest of his career out of the spotlight of Test rugby.

He added: "The key for me is going out there and playing without fear and being the best I can be.

"If I'm being the best I can be, there is nothing else. It's irrelevant being an England player or not."

With Wilkinson out of the frame for Martin Johnson's team for the foreseeable future, Cipriani and Toby Flood look set to battle it out for the number 10 shirt.