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Jonny Wilkinson wants to be part of Lions tour to Australia in 2013

Last updated on .From the section Rugby Unioncomments156

Jonny Wilkinson in action for the Lions against New Zealand

Former England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson says he would relish the chance to end his international career by playing for the British and Irish Lions on their tour of Australia next summer.

Wilkinson retired from England duty last December but still plays for French club Toulon.

Lions coach Warren Gatland has hinted the 33-year-old could travel with the squad to Australia in June 2013.

"There's no way I could say no," Wilkinson admitted.

"In terms of what that represents, everything about it, it's enormous. Such a fabulous thing."

Wilkinson said he did not think he needed to be playing international rugby for England to feature for the Lions.

"It doesn't matter where you come from," he added. "You have got six weeks, get your boots on and get into it."

Wilkinson, who won 91 England caps, has taken part in two Lions tours, to Australia in 2001 and New Zealand in 2005. Both ended in defeat, which rankles with the player.

"It is niggling away at me," conceded Wilkinson, who played in four World Cups for England and won the tournament in 2003.

"All I can do is play and see if I fit into those plans. If I don't, I'll make the best of what I've got, which, let's face it, is good enough."

The last Lions tour was to South Africa in 2009. Wilkinson missed out through injury, while the Lions lost 2-1.

When Wales boss Gatland was named Lions coach in September, he said: "Wilkinson's still a fine player and only 33. That's not old.

"No one is ruled out or pencilled in. If you are playing well enough, then whoever it is - whether it is Jonny Wilkinson or whoever, it's all about how players are performing for their clubs or countries."

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156 comments

  • Comment posted by U9363407, at 09:58 4 Oct 2012

    "Jonny Wilkinson wants to be part of Lions tour to Australia in 2013"
    So do I but I can't see either happening. He's well past his sell by date. What next? "Will Carling targets 2013 Lions tour"!

  • Comment posted by U7835759, at 09:34 4 Oct 2012

    All JW has said is that, if asked, he would say yes to a spot on the tour. Somehow BBC interprets this as being a likely scenario.

    I remain a big fan of Jonny and all that he has done for English rugby over the years, but I think that the Lions picks will be based on the performances in the Autumn internationals and the 6N, so this conversation is a bit premature.

  • Comment posted by U15388841, at 08:04 4 Oct 2012

    Sexton, Priestland, Flood, Farrell. In that order.

    Sorry Jonny, you were great but are too old now. The BBC love writing about Wilkinson, Cipriani, Henson et al for no apparent reason, seems to me all Gatland is saying is he will consider anyone.

  • Comment posted by TheLastKingOfEngland, at 14:17 4 Oct 2012

    Basically the story is WG says JW may be in with a chance of a place next year. Journalist then ask JW would he do it if asked, bearing in mind he's officially retired from international rugby. He says yes he'd do it. Queue the Wilkinson bashers pouring out of the woodwork. The guy was world class & remains one of the greatest 10s ever. He is getting on but could manage a tour. End of story.

  • Comment posted by Wallythai, at 09:41 4 Oct 2012

    If Lions V Oz was a 10 man game then JW would get a look in but its going to be a 15 man game. If JW plays Gats will pick flankers to play 11-15 as to play genuine centres, wings and fullback would b a waste of time as they will only be needed to defend. JW is a fine kicker and thats it! He kicks Eng to the WC 10 years ago and some think he is the greatest outhalf ever!!! get into the real world

  • Comment posted by U15435919, at 01:04 4 Oct 2012

    If we are looking to bring back has-beens England have 15 of them from 2003, if we are looking for a number 10 that can deliver in 2012 then we need to be looking at Sexton,Hook,Priestland, even Farrel not old men that were good 10 years ago.... The southern hemisphere will be laughing at us once again.

  • Comment posted by Bill T, at 13:42 5 Oct 2012

    This is simple. At the point of selection is JW playing well enough to be considered? If he has a season like last year then the answer to is definitely yes. Next,are there better options than him for that position? we don't know yet. His age is irrelevant, this is about form and fitness. All the anti JW comments on here are from the usual 1 eyed Welsh fans who can't see beyond the Severn Bridge.

  • Comment posted by tailskidder, at 13:20 5 Oct 2012

    OMG - does this mean Danny Cips doesn't get a look in??? I bumped into to him in Morrisons - I think he was hovering around the Vodka Bottles - Anyway I asked him if he were to be asked to play for the Lions would he? - he said YES!
    OMG Danny Cips is in contention for play 10 for the Lions - HOLD THE BACK PAGE

    Guys its a None Story. If WG takes JW - he'll be certified. Beside he is not Welsh

  • Comment posted by TheLastKingOfEngland, at 12:21 5 Oct 2012

    Here GM Massingbird, if selected by Warren Gatland, would you take up the offer of going on the Lions tour to Australia? If you say yes I'm sure we could write an article on how you want to be part of the Lions tour, if you say no I'm sure it could be spun into an article on how you're removing yourself from the running or rejecting the Lions depending on how you want to spin it.

  • Comment posted by U8942103, at 11:45 5 Oct 2012

    122.Wallythai

    I admire you, your clearly saying this to wind up and get a rise....

    It can be the only explanation.

  • Comment posted by RMPTaff, at 01:30 5 Oct 2012

    @David P #104,
    To be fair, in the WC Semi we were on the end of a poor decision from a ref who didn't understand the physical mis-match in THAT tackle nor took into account the previous record of Warburton, which is nothing less than exemplary.
    But I'm sure you understand, given that the AB's benefitted from a dismal display by Joubert in the Final.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XBqetaCfgo

  • Comment posted by Tom Rowlands, at 15:31 4 Oct 2012

    Why are people even mentioning Farrell. I know there is a lot of rugby to be played before the tour, but he's not even first choice for Sarries! His form this season has been awful. Lancaster picked him for England because he could kick goals and tackle and also because Flood was injured. This season he hasn't even been kicking his goals.

    As for Wilko, #83- couldn't have put it better myself.

  • Comment posted by U3546975, at 14:15 4 Oct 2012

    68 99call
    54 Minutes ago
    66.ItstheEaWCBnotECB with a back 3 of North, Bowe and Kearney where exactly will Halfpenny be taking the kicks from??? the bench


    Where the ball is placed. Are those other 3 a kicking option?

    Points make prizes

  • Comment posted by U3546975, at 12:46 4 Oct 2012

    look at the shambles the last past it #10 did when playing for the Lions.



    If we're going back that far - lets get Neil Jenkins back - a far superior player all round - Just imagine, imagine for 1 second how many more points he'd have score during his time for Wales if the Welsh pack (team) had been anywhere near as good as Englands.

    Enjoy the French pension pot Jonny

  • Comment posted by kborom, at 12:45 4 Oct 2012

    Wilkinson is certainly one of the greats but even as an Englishman I would rather see a young Welsh/Jock/Irish SO in there than wilko.

    The Lions should not be about giving players who are past their best a swansong.

  • Comment posted by Jeff Harris, at 12:03 4 Oct 2012

    @ 57... Australia will be very difficult to beat at Home, and all Tests will be close.

  • Comment posted by Eddie Munster, at 08:15 4 Oct 2012

    hes not needed, we have halfpenny who's now a proven kicker from fullback. I dont care whos 10 as long as it someone who will move the ball quickly and control the game, the goal kicking is no longer an issue.

  • Comment posted by kwnerfc, at 21:51 5 Oct 2012

    English posters on here will happily admit that there is quality in the other home nations and yet this is not reciprocated.

    ferris, Kearney, Richie gray, Jamie Roberts are quality players. But Hartley, Dan Cole are as well.

    Also, there are some massively overrated players e.g. Farrell but also Jonathan Davies who refuses to pass and cannot execute a simple two on 1. Welsh fans won't agree

  • Comment posted by kwnerfc, at 21:40 5 Oct 2012

    I admit there are England supporters who worship Wilko based purely on 03 and have barely seen him since. But there are other fans who have actually watched him in France and can see that he is still quality. He is the hardest trainer in world rugby and, whether people like it or not is one of the best options with experience of beating oz regularly. Sefton just hasn't produced internationally

  • Comment posted by kwnerfc, at 21:28 5 Oct 2012

    Wallythai you are so one eyed in analysis this probably isn't worth it.

    Your idea of what qualities the England side of 03 possessed only highlight my point of bitterness from the other home nations

    This isn't about nostalgia and wanting the glory days back. This is about a lack of quality elsewhere. Bod is nowhere near the player he is made out to be anymore. Especially not since 09.

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