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PARIS - France have warned England first five-eighths Jonny Wilkinson he will be kept under close scrutiny in Saturday's World Cup semi-final.
"He's on top of the list of guys we need to put under pressure," said lock Jerome Thion, who was on the pitch when Wilkinson kicked all the points in England's 24-7 win over France in the semi-finals of the 2003 World Cup in Australia.
Wilkinson, whose 12 points against Australia in the quarter-finals took him ahead of Scotland's Gavin Hastings as the highest scorer in World Cup history, is both feared and admired in the French camp.
"He's a workaholic, a perfectionist," France captain Raphael Ibanez, who plays his club rugby for Wasps, said of England's kicker.
"I remember a match in Newcastle. Over an hour before it started, the stadium was still empty and there was Jonny, trying drop goals from every corner of the pitch. That's him.
"It's all his hard work that makes him so effective and that enabled him to recapture his best after struggling with injuries for years."
England's form depends heavily on the performance level of their standoff, said France fullback Damien Traille.
"If he's fine, they're fine," Traille said. "If he's not, it's a different team."
France forwards coach Jacques Brunel also noted Wilkinson's obvious influence on England's game and praised a man famous for holding his nerve whatever the circumstances.
"He never rushes, never panics," said Brunel. "Whether he succeeds or fails, he doesn't seem to have any emotions. It's like he was able to switch his brain off, the way great golfers or tennis players can do. He reminds me a lot of Bjorn Borg."
In 2003, England won notably because Wilkinson was at his clinical best while France's promising first five-eighths, Frederic Michalak, failed to live up to the occasion.
On Saturday at the Stade de France, Wilkinson will face another young France number 10 in Lionel Beauxis.
The 21-year-old Beauxis was naturally asked whether Wilkinson had been his inspiration.
"No," the phlegmatic Frenchman replied. "That was (former New Zealand first five-eighths) Andrew Mehrtens."
- REUTERS
