Wilkinson says France thrashing a ‘humility check’ for England

France’s lock Thibaud Flament (right) runs in his second try during the Six Nations international rugby union match between England and France at Twickenham Stadium, south-west London, on 11 March – AFP 

LONDON, AFP: Jonny Wilkinson said England’s record-breaking 53-10 defeat by France represented a “real humility check” but also a “learning experience” that could yet benefit Steve Borthwick’s outclassed side.

England were undone in all departments as they suffered their heaviest home loss in history during a Six Nations encounter at Twickenham on Saturday where reigning champions France scored seven tries in a scintillating display.

But England great Wilkinson insisted some good could yet emerge from a crushing loss for a team that rounds off its Six Nations fixtures against title contenders Ireland in Dublin next weekend.

As a teenager, Wilkinson was involved in England’s worst defeat of all time when an under-strength team were hammered 76-0 by Australia in Brisbane during the 1998 ‘Tour from Hell’.

Yet he went on to become an outstanding fly-half before landing the last-ditch drop-goal as England beat the Wallabies in the 2003 World Cup final in Sydney.

“It’s not a wrong turn and it’s not the end of the path,” Wilkinson told ITV.

“That 1998 game for me, it was a real cleansing opportunity. I was almost forced to change, and in that change, I found brand new possibility.

“It’s a massive humility check,” the 43-year-old added.

This was England’s second defeat in four games under Borthwick after the Rugby Football Union sacked veteran coach Eddie Jones, now in charge of his native Australia for a second time, just months before the World Cup in France, which kicks off in September Clive Woodward, England’s coach for both the 1998 Brisbane debacle and when they were crowned world champions five years later, sympathised with Borthwick.