9 Nov 2011

Wilkinson slams teammates' World Cup behaviour

8:49 am on 9 November 2011

The England rugby great Jonny Wilkinson has already launched his autobiography, and it includes a reprimand for his World Cup team-mates who felt the need to tour bars during the biggest tournament of their lives.

In his book "Jonny", Wilkinson reveals he asked the captain Lewis Moody for permission to address the squad after an unconvincing victory against Georgia in their second match.

Wilkinson suggested the offenders' behaviour ultimately meant their 29 team-mates didn't matter enough to them.

Wilkinson said some of his team-mates were naive to think their exploits would go unnoticed by the media.

The player whose drop-goal secured victory for England in the 2003 World Cup final criticised the balls used in New Zealand, saying his inability to trust how they would fly had affected him psychologically.