BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | Jonny Wilkinson

England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson discusses his Christmas plans and says England still have work to do if they want to achieve their dream of winning the Rugby World Cup.

As another year comes to an end, there's precious little time for us professional rugby players to put our feet up.

Newcastle's defeat against London Irish may have knocked us out of the Powergen Cup.

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Jonny has a number of hopes for the new year
But we're hoping to get our Zurich Premiership revenge when we face the Exiles on Sunday.

It will be my first game back from injury, so it's vital that I make an impact.

I need to prove to myself and the rest of the Newcastle squad that I'm fully fit and able to lead the side again.

With just two points separating the sides, it's a great chance for us to give ourselves a glimmer of hope this side of the new year.

Surprise, surprise, I'll be thinking about rugby this Christmas - just like every year - and my wish list is already full.

1. Avoiding Zurich Premiership relegation. I'm a club man through and through so that has to be my number one priority.

2. Win the Six Nations with impressive performances away from home as well as at Twickenham - with a special plea for a superb opening victory over France.

3. Lifting the trophy in Sydney on 22 November, 2003. Imagine the feeling of winning the World Cup in Australia?

4. Staying fit and healthy. Having just come back from injury I admit to being very frustrated when I'm on the sidelines. Here's hoping for a clean bill of health in the new year.

The season is certainly all consuming. So while you're all tucking into your Christmas pudding and pounds of turkey, spare a though for us poor sportsmen.

You won't of course, and nor should you. But this time of year, with its inevitable emphasis on food and drink, does tend to highlight what we can't allow ourselves to have.

But that is the sacrifice we have to make and as someone who has always believed that you get out what you put in, I take it very seriously.

I probably will be out on the training pitch - but hopefully not for too long

People often ask what I'll be doing on Christmas Day, and the honest answer is 'yes', I probably will be out on the training pitch - but hopefully not for too long.

If my kicking is going well it'll be a short session, but if not, then who knows?

Looking back at the year, it's been a good 12 months for anyone associated with English rugby union.

We've had a number of good results, but we've also been here before.

It's all very well being number one in the world. But computer statistics ultimately count for nothing if you can't win any silverware.

And it just so happens that our first game of 2003 is also one of the most important.

A game against France is always huge. But this one, coming as it does in a World Cup year, is very big indeed.

We know we have a strong record at Twickenham, but if truth be told, France are one of those sides who can win anywhere and at anytime.

And with the World Cup looming large a defeat is unthinkable for us. We need to make the next step.

Being a good side will get us nowhere. We need to become a great side.


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