Wilson wants to be Shear class Flanker out to strike it lucky for Geordie family

nation to be eliminated pool stage.

The mood is altogether different now after a record 57-15 win over Ireland and a week spent acclimatising for Japan in the Italian sunshine.

But Wilson, 29, said: “Getting to Twickenham for families up here is quite a big effort. I never in the got the chance. So this is special for youngsters in the north.

“Also for my mum, who doesn’t travel much or come to many games. She’s never seen me in an England shirt. But this time I don’t think she had an excuse.”

Wilson hopes England will put on a show for her, just as ENGLAND: Watson; McConnochie, Marchant, Francis, May; Farrell (c), Youngs; Marler, George, Cole, Launchbury, Lawes, Curry, Wilson, B Vunipola. Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Genge, Sinckler, Ewels, Kvesic, Heinz, Ford, Cokanasiga. ITALY: Hayward; Bellini, Bisegni, Benvenuti, Padovani; Canna, Braley; Quaglio, Fabiani, Ferrari, Sisi, Budd (capt), Negri, Steyn, Tuivaiti. Replacements: Zani, Lovotti, Riccioni, Ruzza, Zanni, Mbanda, Palazzani. KICK-OFF 7.45pm, Sky Sports

the Toon did for him when he was a young fan.

“I grew up loving football, guys like Tino Asprilla, Shearer, Keith Gillespie,” he said of Kevin Keegan’s Nineties side.

Asked how he would celebrate if he scored, Wilson ruled out ‘doing a Shearer’ before joking: “I could kick the hoardings down,” referring to Temuri Ketsbaia’s infamous celebration in 1998.

“But I might never England again!” play for