For now, Jonny Wilkinson has put aside his contented new life on the Cote d’Azur. The joys of swimming in the sea and cycling in the mountains, freediving and al fresco dining – and, of course, the challenge of French club rugby – are temporarily on hold.
He has swapped it all for his designated place at the eye of a storm with England, in Surrey, at Twickenham and beyond in this RBS Six Nations.
The talisman of Toulon has left behind his Gallic mission to throw himself back into the stress and strain of being the playmaker in a faltering Red Rose team which will set out in search of their true identity in the coming weeks, starting against Wales at HQ on Saturday.
Wilkinson is ready for the slings and arrows bearing his name. The World Cup-winning No 10 is ready to set about his business once more with the minimum of fuss, unfazed by the criticism which stalked him in the autumn.
The 30-year-old will attempt to galvanise England’s misfiring attacking game armed with the shield of healthy perspective. After the missing years of savage injuries, from 2003 to 2009, when his future was repeatedly called into question, the former Newcastle fly-half is simply revelling in a long spell of unbroken rugby.
A few unflattering reviews cannot diminish his upbeat mood, not when he admits that, had circumstances been different, his playing days could have been over already.
‘Playing regularly this season has been a massive bonus and something I have waited a long time for,’ he said. ‘Had I played consistently through those six years without injuries, there is that thought bouncing round my head that I could have been finished by now. Your body has a breather when you are injured.
The first six years of my career had a serious effect on the second six years. But if I had played through all that time, maybe I would have needed 12 years off. Instead, I am feeling in great shape at the age of 30.’

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