NEW ENGLAND CAPTAIN

Wilkinson has been confirmed as the new captain of England for the upcoming 3 autumn internationals. Not a shock but it is a big ask of someone who is only 25 to be both the lynchpin of the team at fly-half and captain. Still if anyone can do it he can.

Frankly I think he's on a hiding to nothing this year. We will walk all over Canada on 13 Nov but then we have South africa and Australia the next two weekends and without Johnson, Leaonard, Dallaglio, Back and potentially Hill (currently injured) the squad looks particularly thin and lacking experience up front. I have high hopes but low expectations for both this autumn and next years Six Nations, and I think Wilkinsons reign could start off with some sound thrashings at the hands of the Aussies, and the hands and feet of the notoriously dirty Bokke and Froggies.

Doesn't really matter though - he's only keeping the seat warm till the little Charioteer has mastered the rules anyway.