Sport 05-10-2004 A Dream Come True For Jonny who: Jonny Wilkinson what: Named England rugby captain where: LONDON when: Yesterday snippet: "In the end, there was very little option when it came to appointing England`s captain for their three November internationals," muses BBC Sport`s James Standley. "When you have the man who clinched the World Cup in your side - who is also the IRB Player of the Year, BBC Sport Personality for the Year and even the winner of Haircut of the Year - it would be hard to look anywhere else." The Independent is confident that Jonny Wilkinson, "a superstar sportsman blessed with the dedication of a monk and the wild streak of a middle-ranking civil servant," will captain England "for the forseeable future" and - in so doing - will have "realised a dream". Speaking of his "immense pride", the Newcastle fly-half told reporters that "I`m honoured Andy Robinson wants me to be his captain, and to follow Lawrence [Dallaglio] and Martin [Johnson] means a lot to me as they were inspirational men who gave so much to England rugby over many years." "He`s a formidable talent on the pitch and consistently demonstrates the energy and commitment I feel is essential to be captain of England," said the new England coach, and his sentiments were echoed by former captain Martin Johnson, who also wawrned that Wilkinson will "need the core of experienced players around him that will help out. If the guys aren`t behind you then you`ve got no chance." The Times feels the appointment was somewhat inevitable anyway - such is Wilkinson`s authority "that he would have been one of the core team leaders anyway, title or no title. He has achieved a huge amount for one so young, but all England will hope that his best years are still to come." [... more]

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