Painful loss: Wilkinson in 2001
Two-time tourist Jonny Wilkinson has spoken of a nightmare of unfinished business with the British & Irish Lions and has put himself up for selection for next year's trip to face Australia.
The World Cup winner, who retired from England duty in December last year, is eager to return to the country of his greatest and worst memories.
The 33-year-old fly-half claimed the 2003 RWC in Sydney, but two years earlier was part of the Lions squad that fell so painfully to the 2001 Wallabies.
"There's no way I could say no," he said to the possibility of playing in the series Down Under.
"In terms of what that represents, everything about it, it's enormous. Such a fabulous thing.
"The joy is the fact it doesn't have to come with international rugby. It doesn't matter where you come from. You have got six weeks, get your boots on and get into it.
"It is niggling away at me (that I haven't won a series with the Lions)," added Wilkinson, who was not fit to be considered for the 2009 tour of South Africa but did tour New Zealand in 2005 where they were whitewashed.
"In 2001 I sat in the changing-room after the third Test and it felt like a World Cup final loss. I'd say it was up there (with the biggest disappointments of my career), definitely.
"Australia were on fire at the time and that first Test was incredible. The second Test (in Melbourne) was incredible up to a point and the third Test in Sydney was just a great game. Knowing we had a shot (at the series win), the disappointment was ridiculous.
"It's like trying to run a marathon, getting to the 25th mile and someone saying: 'That's it.' All I can do is play and see if I fit into those plans."
Comments
APV1 says...
Hear! Hear!
If he's fit and on form, hat in the ring please. I don't suppose Gats will pick on sentiment (not even from the Welsh contingent), so he'll pick the strongest squad and teams, rather than a "name" or a "reputation".
That said, the Ozzies have fond memories of a certain drop-kick by JW, so maybe the pyschological effect might not be such a bad thing...
Posted 10:16 04th October 2012
Euskadi says...
Last chance in his career to win a Lions series, considering how rubbish Australia is at present now would be the best chance
Posted 10:14 04th October 2012
benski says...
Bring him on, he's playing well in Toulon, I think he's just the guy to rally the troops plus he's playing as well as any of the other possible fly half starters.
Posted 09:15 04th October 2012
Waz4before says...
I've always thought you should at least be part of your national squad to be considered - so love him as much as I do - as Jonnie retired from his national side it's a stretch for him to be considered.
Posted 09:13 04th October 2012
pierredelot1 says...
Maybe the others are ahead of him as he has opted out of an England setup that did not take advantage of his skills. But Toulon know what they are about and he does the business on a regular basis. If you asked the French public to vote on the best performing 10s in the Top 14 he would be up there., Flood is up and down like a knackered lift. Priestland has not performed at his best in International rugby since the world cup and Sexton despite his consistently good play for Leinster hasn't really done it for Ireland yet. I hope he does but he's not nailed it down. Who knows there may be other candidates to show their true abilities. Wilkinson still reads a game better than most and defensively can still put in a great shift, It will certainly require a good consistent performer to turnover the Aussies although I feel that it's upfront that the Aussies can be beaten every time, but that requires referees to grasp the nettle and punish them for dropping it and disrupting it at every opportunity. Lets see
Posted 09:12 04th October 2012
fozza says...
Not sure I'd put priestland ahead of him right now. If it was me, with his experience and ability to play centre if desperate, I'd take him.
Posted 08:47 04th October 2012
admack says...
He'd be good for bringing the tee on and that is it... Sexton, Flood, Priestland, Laidlaw all better choices. Granted he was good on his day but give the other guys a chance
Posted 08:27 04th October 2012
porridge_time says...
Queue endless Johnny Wilkinson threads.
Posted 07:45 04th October 2012
jonesy2 says...
just when you thought british and irish rugby couldnt be more of a joke. dissappointing as the australian rugby public would been wanting a hotly contested series but by the looks of it its going to be a hiding of severe proportions for the lions
Posted 07:38 04th October 2012
PREEST says...
Considering the way the Wallabies are playing right now, it will be a whitewash for the lions. The southern hemisphere dominance has been hard to crack. Not even a combination of the best players from Britain and Ireland have been able to clinch a series win against one of the big three.
Posted 07:16 04th October 2012
NHSaints says...
I reckon he should go as backup to Sexton, Priestland is a liability in defence and wasted so many chances on the Australia tour that he shouldn't even be in contention...Laidlaw sucks in defence, Weir is often as stale as Farrel in creating tries, Farrel can kick and tackle but not much else, Flood is an option but he's unlikely to even be England's first choice 10 in 2013.
Posted 06:57 04th October 2012
sukkadoits says...
@sirtidychris well said. A legend like him deserves to be considered
Posted 06:53 04th October 2012
Alaskarugby says...
I am rooting for Jonny to make the squad. How could you not?
Posted 06:44 04th October 2012
sirtidychris says...
If hes playing well enough then he should go, at the moment its sexton, flood priestland ahead of him, his leadership, ethos and knowledge would be a great addition to the squad and a good guy to lead the mid week team
Posted 23:57 03rd October 2012