England backs Jonny Wilkinson and Toby Flood are set to stage a "shootout" to decide which of them will take kicking duties during the team's Rugby World Cup quarter final against France on Saturday, reports say.
Wilkinson's woeful 45 per cent success rate at this year's tournament has put his spot as first choice England goalkicker in jeopardy for the first time, The Guardian reported.
He has landed only nine from 20 attempts at goal - the lowest of any first tier nation - compared to Flood's 77 per cent success rate.
The Guardian said England had taken the unusual step of switching their press conference venue to their team hotel to stop press watching the private shootout.
It said Wilkinson was "happy" with his kicking being put under pressure.
"It's something I'm perfectly happy with," he said. "I think I've had most of my ego knocked out of me along the way. The longer you play the longer you realise the whole thing is about the team. It's a funny one. I've battled with that whole concept spiritually and physically, in terms of some of the feelings it comes with."
