Rugby: Wilkinson moves closer to World Cup points record

England's Jonny Wilkinson (R) scores a drop kick. Photo / Reuters

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PARIS - Jonny Wilkinson was left within striking distance of becoming the most successful points scorer in Rugby World Cup history after a 16-point haul during England's 36-20 Pool A win over Tonga here today.

That left Wilkinson on 222 points, just five shy of former Scotland full-back Gavin Hastings' record of 227, after a win at the Parc des Princes that saw the defending champions set up a quarter-final meeting with Australia.

The England fly-half has now played in the last three World Cups - totalling 12 games for one try, 23 conversions, 45 penalties and 12 drop goals.

He now has the chance to break Hastings' record when England meet the Wallabies - against whom he scored the winning drop-goal that clinched the World Cup for England in Sydney four years ago - when the teams meet in the October 6 quarter-final in Marseille.

- AFP