Jonny Wilkinson has warned his England teammates that time is running out for them to eliminate the errors that are marring their Rugby World Cup campaign.

England, bidding to appear in a third successive World Cup final, may have won its opening Pool B matches, against Argentina and Georgia, but both fixtures have seen it concede numerous penalties.

It was all too much for coach Martin Johnson, who told his players to lift their game after Sunday's 41-10 win over Georgia in Dunedin where England, which ran in six tries, gave away 11 penalties in the first half alone.

Wilkinson is best known for the extra-time drop goal that enabled then-England captain Johnson to lift the Webb Ellis Trophy after a thrilling 2003 World Cup final against Australia in Sydney.

Wilkinson said World Cups are do-or-die.

Poor goal kicking by their opponents let England off the hook in its first two matches.

But Wilkinson, who himself struggled with the boot against Argentina and then saw Toby Flood start at fly half against Georgia, does not expect fellow Pool B rival Romania, England’s next opponent this Saturday, and old foe Scotland, which boasts two good goal kickers in Chris Paterson and Dan Parks, to be as obliging.

Barring any upsets, England is expected to meet France in the World Cup quarterfinals.

In the only match tonight, Tonga takes on Japan at 7.30.


Story by: Vijay Narayan