‘Jonny needed players around him’ Matt Dawsons harsh criticism of Wilkinson

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“England legend Jonny Wilkinson just wasn’t a natural playmaker,” says his former partner Matt Dawson.

In a column in 2010, Dawson wrote: “What his repertoire lacks is an ability to read the game, to understand where England are playing and where they should be playing.”

Dawson also noted that Wilkinson’s reliance on other players for inspiration was a weakness.

“Wilkinson can play the way that was planned on a flip chart in team meetings, but if it’s up to him to figure out on the hoof what options to take, more often than not he’ll kick – and will miss opportunities to attack.” Dawson added,

“It’s not news, it’s how it’s always been. Jonny needs players around him – guys like Mike Catt, Will Greenwood, myself or Kyran Bracken – to make decisions, then he will execute them brilliantly.

In response to Dawson’s comments, England legend Martin Johnson, who was captain in 2003, hit back and said: “I haven’t made any decisions either; everything was Matt Dawson.

Meanwhile, Austin Healey, a former player who has never made the team or any position, defended Wilkinson and said, “Drop the Jonny Wilkinson case and that includes you Matt Dawson.”

2003 Rugby World Cup Final WAGS special: Here’s who our heroes settled down with 15. Josh Lewsey – possibly single

Most recently known for dating British Winter Olympics gold medalist Amy Williams in 2012, but it didn’t work out.

14. Jason Robinson – Sian Griffin

Robinson divorced his first wife Amanda, with whom he has six children including; Cameron, Jemimah, Joseph and Lewis. In June 2017, he married Sian Griffin with whom he has a son, Noah.

13. Will Greenwood – Caroline Greenwood

Greenwood and his wife, Caroline, have three children. They previously had a son, Freddie, who died 45 minutes after birth in 2002. He is a patron of Child Bereavement UK, a charity that supports parents who have lost a child.

12. Mike Tindall – Zara Phillips

In 2010, it was announced that Tindall was engaged to Zara Phillips, the only daughter of Anne, Princess Royal and granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II. The couple, who now have two daughters, first met at the 2003 Rugby World Cup in Australia.

11. Ben Cohen – Kristina Rihanoff

The winger was married to Abby Blayney in 2003 and has twin daughters with her, whom they named Harriette and Isabelle. The couple had been separated since 2014 and divorced in March 2016. In January 2016, it was announced that his former Strictly Come Dancing dance partner and now girlfriend Kristina Rihanoff had their first child together, a daughter named Milena.

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