WILKO SHOWS FARRELL HOW TO BEAT THE BOKS
FROM BACK PAGE years ago, want to make sure it is in their armoury today.
Wilkinson worked with captain Farrell and George Ford, polishing up their techniques ahead of the biggest match of their lives.
Farrell, dreaming of lifting the Webb Ellis Cup like Martin Johnson did in 2003, showed no ill effects from the dead leg sustained against New Zealand, which had put his place in doubt.
The session came 12 years after Farrell and Ford fielded kicks in practice for Wilkinson, during the 2007 World Cup, while on their school holidays. Their dads were both in the England squad at the time.
“When you look at the calibre of rugby talent in their fathers, it comes as no surprise to me what those two have become,” said Wilkinson.
England have been boosted by news of a string of nominations for tomorrow’s World Rugby awards, including Team of the Year, Coach of the Year (Jones), Breakthrough player of the Year (Joe Cokanasiga, left) and Player of the Year (Tom Curry).
And they were given a further lift with a good luck message from Prince Harry among the thousands to arrive at the team hotel.
“Prince Harry sent us a message of support, which was nice to receive. He showed us his little lad in an England shirt, which was a nice touch,” said flanker Sam Underhill.
A jackpot payout of close to £7 million awaits the England squad if they win today, around £225,000 per player. A victory parade has been booked for London on Tuesday. But none of that will happen, warned Jones (above), unless England stay firmly in the moment.
“They need to take in the excitement,” he said. “What they don’t need to take in is the distractions.
“Because now everyone’s your mate. Everyone wants to have a cup of coffee, ‘You got a spare ticket, mate?’
“Blokes that weren’t your mates are now your mates, family members want tickets, long-lost cousins want tickets, there’s more fans around the hotel.
“So that’s all part of it. You’ve got to work out what you need to do to be at your best, then say no to the other things.”