And despite missing five kicks at goal and two drop-goal attempts, Wilkinson came up big when it really mattered, converting a late drop-goal that handed his side the win.

The image of Wilkinson kicking the last-minute drop-goal conjured up memories of the 32-year-old doing so against Australia in extra-time to help England lift the 2003 World Cup trophy.

"I was trying to think clearly about the process, of where I was on the field," Wilkinson said.

"I was thinking about what I was trying to do and getting the right contact and visualising in my mind what needed to be done to try to make it more said and done deal.

"You try to line the physical thing with what you put in your head beforehand and thankfully that went well.

“I missed a couple off the tee and I thought with the drop goal at the end that if I miss this I might not go back into the changing room afterwards.

"I thought the guys deserved better than this after working so hard to get the penalties - I should have put a few more over.

"All you can do is keep fighting towards the end and keep trying to do the right thing.”