Wilkinson delivers World Cup warning to England

The England squad have held a “brutally honest” summit meeting to review their disappointing performance in Sunday’s victory over Georgia.

England eventually ran in six tries and won the game 41-10 but Johnson was furious at the lack of discipline in both defence and attack, accusing his team of being sloppy and demanding higher standards.

A place in the semi-finals represents England’s minimum objective in New Zealand.

Johnson addressed the meeting and, based on his own bitter experiences at the 1999 World Cup, explained in stark terms what it would mean to head home early.

“Johnno talked about watching the semi-final on TV and then going out to play Newcastle away. I know exactly what he was talking about because he was playing against me that day,” said Wilkinson. “In 1999, we got knocked out in the quarter-finals and the next weekend was possibly one of the coldest, rainiest days we had at Newcastle and we were playing against Leicester.

“He’s right, that’s how it works. World Cups are do or die.

“Mistakes in a World Cup are going to cost you. They could have cost us very badly in the first half against Georgia.

“Thankfully for us, a few (of their penalty) kicks went wide and we were able to go into half-time in a good position – but who knows what will happen next time?

“We just can’t afford to do it. That’s why there is an urgency about the meetings, as sooner or later it will be something we can’t come back from.

“Sooner or later next week doesn’t appear for a team in the World Cup. We just have to make sure we don’t leave ourselves in that position.”

Top of England’s list of issues to urgently address is the number of penalties they are conceding, a lack of discipline which could have cost them dear against both Argentina and Georgia.

Under Clive Woodward, England prided themselves on a single-digit penalty account for the whole match.

On Sunday, England conceded 11 in the first half against Georgia – a record which led to them being unable to escape from their own territory.

England’s disciplinary record against Argentina was not much better but they got out of jail on both occasions. As Wilkinson intimated, Scotland sharp-shooter Chris Paterson is unlikely to be quite so generous.

“It’s just about being accountable,” said Wilkinson. “It’s a case of people realising that talking isn’t going to cut it.

“The punishment is not laps, it is looking at the other 14 guys who are working their backsides off.

“It’s the feeling that you’ve made the game harder for the England team. You are representing your country and it hurts more than enough.

“I’ve no doubt everyone learned something (from the meeting). The answer has got to be – be onside, be behind the back foot, take your hands off when the referee says it.

“The guys are taking this massively on board and, believe me, guys are understanding now that once is a mistake, twice is a lot more than that and three times just can’t happen.”

Wilkinson’s fly-half rival Toby Flood had described the blunt post-Georgia review as a potential watershed moment for England.

Four years ago, England held a summit meeting after their 36-0 defeat to South Africa which turned their World Cup around and Brian Ashton’s men ended up reaching the final.

England are not in that scenario. The players may not be content with how they are playing but they did find a way past Argentina and Georgia.

“It is tournament rugby. It’s all about winning games and sometimes, if you are winning ugly and being harsh on yourself, it’s a good place to be because you can get better,” said hooker Steve Thompson. “We’ve been together a long time and the last thing you want is for things to get comfortable. Sometimes everyone needs to give each other a little boot up the backside and that’s what’s happening.

“It’s like a relationship – sometimes you get a little bit stale, don’t you? Sometimes you’ve got to have a little bit of an argument and have the old make-up afterwards!

“Today there was a great buzz in training. Everyone wants to get better. For me, it’s great to be part of. It’s the team and the buzz that we know England is all about.”

England, who face Romania on Saturday, have injury concerns over Nick Easter (back), who dropped out of the Georgia game, and Matt Stevens, who suffered a sprained ankle. Ben Foden (side) and Alex Corbisiero (calf) also missed training yesterday but are expected to be fit.

Italy captain Sergio Parisse saw his side run in nine tries in their 53-17 win against Russia in Nelson but has warned them that they must improve defensively.

Italy secured a try bonus point in just 22 minutes and they went on to record their highest score in a World Cup match.

Italy, who led 38-7 at the break, scored through Parisse, Giulio Toniolatti (2), Tommaso Benvenuti (2), Edoardo Gori, Luke McLean, Alessandro Zanni and a penalty try, with fly-half Riccardo Bocchino, who limped off injured late on, adding four conversions.

“Russia were a very tough opposition, we are very happy to have the victory, we will take the five points as it was very important for us if we are have a chance to qualify for the quarter-finals,” said Parisse.