Wilkinson Blasts England's World Cup Tactics

Jonny Wilkinson has admitted he was bored by the brand of rugby that took England to the World Cup final in Paris last month. Wilkinson, who will return to action for Newcastle this weekend after recovering from an ankle injury following the defeat to South Africa, said he failed to get excited by England's kicking game in France, even though it was focused around him at fly-half.

England, who stuttered through the World Cup group stages after being humiliated 36-0 by the Springboks, managed only one try in their three knockout matches, and Wilkinson said he took no pleasure from the forwards-orientated style.

"The games were intense and precise and very much based around getting to the right places on the field to kick," Wilkinson said. "It was centered around the forwards as well, as it always is, but it was really based on the No9 and No10 and that doesn't, if I'm going to be honest, enthrall me. Everyone thinks about the idea of kicking. I mean the game based around me. It's not that I'm worried about that but the idea going into a game knowing you've got to put the ball around kicking doesn't really enthrall me. It's not why I got into rugby."

Wilkinson said he hoped England would adopt a more expansive style when the Six Nations starts early next year. "That's ­exactly why I love the game, that's why I practice every day, that's what I think about, that's what makes me excited about playing rugby," he told Metro. "The games at the World Cup were like a game of chess. That's opposed to moments of chess and what I'd call British bulldog stuff, where you are running around and using your skills. That's what makes me tick."

England veterans Lawrence Dallaglio and Mike Catt have been among those who have criticized the England regime at the World Cup, claiming they were disorientated by the tactics they were asked to deploy before eventually deciding themselves which approach they should take. Wilkinson said he could understand why some players had spoken out against the head coach, Brian Ashton.

"The World Cup effort was massive learning for everyone and I would, in a nutshell, say I was an example of how it pretty much went for everyone," he said. "At times I had thoughts about things and then two days later I'd turn 180 degrees and I was thinking completely differently."