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MARSEILLE - Jonny Wilkinson has overcome a fair number of obstacles in the last few years so a late change of midfield partner for Saturday's quarter-final against Australia barely knocked him off his stride on Thursday.
Andy Farrell was forced to pull out of the game with a calf injury and coach Brian Ashton will not announce his replacement as inside centre until Friday, with Olly Barkley and Dan Hipkiss the front runners and Mike Catt an outside chance.
"It's not an ideal scenario for the team and it's tough for Andy but it illustrates the need for strength in depth at this World Cup," Wilkinson told reporters after a kicking session at Marseille's Velodrome stadium.
The first five-eighths said the identity of Farrell's replacement was almost irrelevant.
"The kind of enthusiasm and excitement and desire that's come into the team since the South Africa defeat has meant that the guys have become very involved in the decisions made in the nine, 10 and 12 positions," he said.
"Those guys are driving that system so nobody has got to do anything they are unfamiliar with. You spend a lot of time talking and there's a real cohesive feel about the guys in that area. It's important to get on a wavelength, then build it fast even before the communication comes."
Wilkinson, who needs six points to overhaul Scotland's Gavin Hastings as the World Cup's all-time leading points scorer, missed England's first two games with an ankle injury but returned against Samoa and Tonga to add some real stability as well as much-need creativity.
He said he was still finding his feet after missing more than three years of internationals with a catalogue of injuries and said he was a different, more relaxed player than the intense 24-year-old who kicked England to glory four years ago.
He is still, however, light years away from the happy-go-lucky 21-year-old Berrick Barnes, who will line up as first five-eighths for Australia on Saturday (0001 GMT).
Wilkinson said he was amazed at the way Barnes had performed in his three pool appearances after coming into the tournament uncapped.
"It's such a huge role to fill at a World Cup and for a team that carries a huge amount of expectation and to fill some big boots as well with Stephen Larkham," Wilkinson said.
"To come in and, not just not disappoint or do okay, but to come in and lead the team is quite incredible.
"I used to struggle with stamping my authority on the game, maybe I didn't really understand that aspect, but it looks like he does. He's fresh but he's playing like a very experienced person and showing himself to be a huge influence and a leader."
Barnes said on Thursday that Wilkinson had been one of his inspirations when he was learning the game, using his books and videos to help develop his skills.
The senior man replied that he doubted how much influence he actually had. "He must have been reading between the lines as I wouldn't have known how to tell him to do what he's doing now," he said.
"It's humbling for someone to use something I've done but that's the point - you look at what's around then go away and strive to use it to make yourself better."
- REUTERS
