Wilkinson backed to shine - Sport in brief - Evening Standard
       

Wilkinson backed to shine

Australia have been warned they are right to fear the return of Jonny Wilkinson ahead of Saturday's Investec Challenge showdown at Twickenham.

Wilkinson, 30, is back in prime form following a revitalising summer move to Toulon and is set to be named in an England team for the first time in 18 months. Wallabies head coach Robbie Deans admitted this week he is concerned about the impact Wilkinson's presence will have on an otherwise depleted England side.

"Wilko is lethal as a points-scorer and he is a really good general," said attack coach Brian Smith.

"He is a real factor. Wilko is a very well-rounded player and Robbie Deans is already talking about him, which is a good thing.

"Jonny's skills are outstanding. He is a great distributor and if the opportunity presents to put width on the ball there are very few guys with his skills in that area.

"We went around to our key players and got their input and we have pretty much put together a way of playing that will try to highlight the strengths of the players we have got."

Sport in brief in Pictures

Don't Miss
The Glamour Awards - stars turn on the style

Glamour Awards

Stars turn on the style
Duchess of Cambridge is pretty in pink at her first Buckingham Palace garden party

Garden party

Duchess of Cambridge is pretty in pink
FIRST review of Ridley Scott's latest sci-fi blockbuster Prometheus

First review

Is Ridley Scott's Prometheus any good?
Fair-weather goths

Fair-weather goths

The sultry shades of summer darks are coming out of the shadows
London gets ready for the Diamond Jubilee - in pictures

Diamond Jubilee

London gets ready - in pictures
Dog save the Queen: Corgis surge in popularity

Dog save the Queen

Corgis surge in popularity
'He’s a better ex than he was a husband', says Boris Johnson's ex wife

A better ex than husband

We talk to Boris Johnson's ex wife
TV Baftas - in pictures

Best of the Baftas

Stars on the red, white and blue carpet
You big softie: Has Giles Coren put down his poison pen?

You big softie

Has Giles Coren put down his poison pen?
Pop star Paloma Faith, former Labour minister and Tory blogger back gay marriage video

Gay marriage

Pop star, former Labour minister and Tory blogger back gay marriage video