Wigglesworth has opportunity to shape his own destiny

He then enjoyed a stroke of good fortune when it came to the Olympic ticket ballot, landing a pair of prized seats to the 100m final at London 2012.

But on Saturday, Wigglesworth has the opportunity to determine his own destiny when he starts against Ireland in England’s final run-out before the World Cup.

He is determined to take it.

Wigglesworth has forced his way back into the England fold after a three-year absence on the back of an impressive season with the Premiership champions.

With Danny Care out with a toe injury and Ben Youngs still recovering from knee surgery, Wigglesworth has the chance to cement his place in the team for England’s opening World Cup match against Argentina on September 10.

“I came into the squad aiming to go to the World Cup and that has happened. When we got the phone calls I was confident I had done everything I could do,” said Wigglesworth.

“Now I am aiming to play – and I have to keep working hard to make that one happen.

“I was gutted for Danny, he is a good mate of mine and I didn’t want to see that happen. I have to get on with what I am doing. I think it might be a little different than using a coin toss with England – and it didn’t work that well for me last time anyway.”

Wigglesworth came off the bench in England’s warm-up win against Wales at Twickenham and then started at the Millennium Stadium but was replaced after half-an-hour having suffered a blow to the head.

When Johnson called him the following Monday to confirm he had been selected in the final 30-man squad, Wigglesworth realised he would also be travelling as England’s emergency fly-half cover.

Joe Simpson will head to New Zealand as England’s third scrum-half and he is set to make his Test debut off the bench at the Aviva Stadium.

England are set to field a rejigged back division with Jonny Wilkinson tipped to start at fly-half and Manu Tuilagi likely to join Otley-born Mike Tindall in the centres.

James Haskell has been passed fit for selection after a precautionary scan on his foot revealed only mild inflammation to a tendon.

The 26-year-old has trained fully with the squad this week and will be in the running to start at openside flanker.

Squad captain Lewis Moody is still recovering from a knee injury while England are hoping to give prop Andrew Sheridan and wing Chris Ashton their first action of the warm-up campaign.