RUGBY WORLD CUP winner Jonny Wilkinson has backed England to repeat their 2003 success when the latest edition of the competition gets underway later this year.
Wilkinson kicked the winning points to give England victory over Australia 12 years ago - the standout moment of a glittering career with the national team that also included four Six Nations titles.
Stuart Lancaster’s side embark on this year’s tournament as underdogs despite having home advantage, with the likes of New Zealand, Australia and South Africa expected to challenge.
However, Wilkinson remains positive about England’s chances and believes Lancaster’s squad can cause a few surprises.
“I have seen what they are capable of and how they play the game, and from my knowledge of how rugby is played, I see what you need to win and I see it in this team,” he said at an event to mark 100 days until the tournament.
“I see the make-up of a World Cup-winning team. They are racing against time a little bit for sure, but every team would prefer a little bit longer.
“If any team is going to do it, it is probably going to be England and that’s why I’m even more excited about it because they have even more chance to build.”
England open the tournament on September 18 against Fiji at Twickenham.
