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Wilkinson sounds out warning to England
20 August 2007, 7:55 am
By PA Sport
Jonny Wilkinson admits England must eradicate the errors that have been punishing them in games or risk them undermining their World Cup campaign.
England will head to Paris next month for the opening exchanges in their defence of the Webb Ellis Trophy after being taught tough lessons by tournament hosts France.
Their chronic lack of creativity meant they failed to score a try in two warm-up Tests against the French, while numerous mistakes also played into opposition hands.
The 22-9 defeat in Marseille on Saturday followed a 21-15 home loss seven days earlier, leaving head coach Brian Ashton with plenty to ponder as his World Cup squad headed home for a 10-day break.
Wilkinson said: "We need to hold on to the ball - that is where tries come.
"It is simple for us. We know it is all there, and we know what the answer is. We just need to let it all come through by knocking on the head these errors.
"It is about holding our discipline, creating pressure and gaining momentum."
World Cup captain Phil Vickery will undoubtedly enforce similar messages - assuming he is fit for England's tournament opener against the USA on September 8.
The Wasps prop was concussed in a midfield collision at Stade Velodrome, and while early signs did not look good as Vickery was stretchered away, the England camp remain positive about his recovery prospects.
"Phil is fine," said Ashton. "The (England) doctor said to me you just do not know in these situations until 24 or 48 hours down the line.
"He said 50% of guys (concussed) in the Guinness Premiership play the following week, and the way Phil was yesterday morning, the indication is he will be fine come the start of the World Cup."
Vickery was not the only England player who failed to last the distance in a bruising encounter.
Leicester flanker Martin Corry limped off with a knee problem, while scrum-half Shaun Perry suffered a dead leg, joining casualties from England's Bath training base - flanker Lewis Moody (calf muscle) and scrum-half Peter Richards (back).
As for the game, which France clinched through centre Yannick Jauzion's try and 17 points from goalkickers Jean-Baptiste Elissalde and Frederic Michalak, England were never at the races - and Ashton knew it.
He added: "The disappointment was we didn't actually front up when it came to the basics of the game, which we had done during the past two weeks.
"We know we need to get our forward platform right, but we also know that we need to put other bits and pieces on our game if we are going to make a defence of the World Cup, and so far we've not been able to do that.
"I was disappointed with the lack of composure the players showed at times.
"Hopefully now we can find our strongest XV. Time is against us, we all know that and we've said it all along, but we can't use that as an excuse.
"I am pretty close to knowing my starting XV against America, and I will pick the strongest team, assuming they are all fit."
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