Wilkinson, back in prime form and rude health following a revitalising summer move to Toulon, returns to the England side for the first time in 18 months.

Wallabies head coach Robbie Deans has spent all week talking up the impact Wilkinson will make on an otherwise injury-depleted England side.

At one stage Deans said: "He essentially won England the World Cup, so inevitably there will be a lot of expectation. We believe England will be more dangerous with Jonny."

Deans' comments will only raise the already lofty expectations of an English rugby public desperate for Wilkinson to recapture the glory days of 2003 after six years plagued by injury.

But Wilkinson rejected the notion that he is a key player and joked how people must have short memories - he was dropped after his last England start, in 2008, ended in a 9-3 defeat by Scotland.

Wilkinson pays little attention to the ‘outside world’ and insisted the only pressure he feels is that same familiar drive for perfection.

"It is flattering to hear someone mention you like that," said Wilkinson.

"But one thing I have learned over the last few years is that there is no such thing as a good player, just a good team that allows players to be good.

"So many times when people have said I had a good game, I actually came off the field thinking I had done nothing. All I did was listen to the guy next to me and do what he said.

"Rugby is very much about trust. The nature of working for each other is that it brings the best out of everyone. Both teams understand that this weekend.

"I have always tried to look at pressure in so many different ways to understand what it really does - but ultimately when the whistle goes you just do your best.

"You fight and you do whatever it takes to win."