Jonny Wilkinson, at 29 now one of the elder statesmen of English rugby, offered words of support for two of the new generation.

He believes fellow fly-half Danny Cipriani, whose kicking from hand has caused him significant problems in the early stages of his Test career, will adapt quickly to the top level and praised versatile Northampton back Ben Foden, also called up by Johnson this week.

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On Cipriani's charge-down troubles, Wilkinson said: "He would probably answer that very simply and I would say the same: just kick it a bit sooner.

"When you make a bad kick you know what you're doing wrong. Nobody means to do it. You may hit 100 good ones in practice then a couple of bad ones at the weekend.

"But he has loads more to gain. There will be lessons on the way, everyone gets that. People talk like it's bad news but it's great news because he's finding out very quickly how to get to his best."

And Wilkinson was quick to tip Foden as a potential match-winner on the world stage.

He added: "He's a talent. He turns up at scrum-half and full-back and that's a hell of an ability. He's got pace, game reading and that isn't that regular around the world right now."