KEY POINTS:
PARIS - Jonny Wilkinson believes his injury experiences of the past four years have made him a more relaxed character who enjoys his rugby much more than when he was living inside an "obsessional bubble".
Wilkinson, whose extra-time drop-goal in 2003 saw England defeat Australia 20-17 to win the World Cup, will, in the words of captain Phil Vickery, be the team's "go-to" man when the champions face South Africa in Saturday's final here at the Stade de France.
But since that memorable night in Sydney the 28-year-old fly-half has suffered a series of injuries to his shoulder, arm, knees, appendix, groin, kidney and hamstring, which have seen him spend most of the past four years on the sidelines.
And then Wilkinson strained ankle ligaments during the squad's first training session in France which saw him miss the first two games of their title defence - including a 36-0 defeat by South Africa last month, England's record World Cup loss.
But, despite struggling with his goalkicking to such an extent that in the four games he's played at this tournament he's landed just 12 out of 19 penalties, five out of nine conversions and five out of nine drop-goals, he's also succeeded with key eforts in quarter-final and semi-finals wins over France and Australia respectively.
Wilkinson, speaking after coach Brian Ashton named on Wednesday England's side for the final, said: "I'd like like to think I am different, that I've grown up a bit and developed.
"I'm still struggling with enjoying these occasions as they happen. But I am enjoying being here and I am enjoying enormously the experience of being part of this team.
"This adventure is fantastic. The four years have allowed me to step out of the obsessional bubble I was stuck in at times.
"I say that, but then Friday comes round, Saturday comes round and it doesn't feel like much has changed at all.
"But the one thing that hasn't changed is I am so desperate to get out there and do whatever I can to help us towards getting what we all want."
Whereas in years past Wilkinson might have tortured himself with in-depth analysis about a missed kick, he now has a more philosophical approach.
"Some days you get a fair few of them, they might be in easier places, sometimes you only get a few and they are a long way out.
"The stats tell you the end result but in my head what's important is fighting through and coming out on the right end of a scoreline," said England's record points scorer.
"By the end of my training I won't leave until I am perfectly happy. I know I won't go into this game less than perfectly happy.
"I can come home after each session and back to the hotel after games with my head held high and my chest out because I know that I've got the best to offer," added Wilkinson who, during the course of this tournament, broke Scotland great Gavin Hastings's World Cup record of 227 points.
However, Wilkinson admitted the whole goalkicking process still made him nervous.
"I've said throughout my career I don't think I've ever had a kick where my heart hasn't been racing beforehand.
"That goes from when I was an 18-year-old and before. That's the life of a goalkicker."
England have lost their last four Tests against South Africa, who are sure to look to the channel between Wilkinson and inside centre Mike Catt as they search for a way to break down the title-holders defence.
"The physicality in rugby has stepped up and the guys that are leading that are the South African team," Wilkinson said.
"It's not 'headless', it's about wearing teams down. It's a mix of strategies and involves a great deal of power, pace and clever thinking.
"South Africa have shown that better than anyone and that's why they are the only team that hasn't lost a game this tournament. They've beaten some very good sides and beaten them well."
- AFP
