The Newcastle fly-half notched up 27 points, including a try and a drop goal, to break Rob Andrews individual record of 24 points in the match, but then insisted he was so focused he did not know how many points he scored.

A typically modest Wilkinson said: Someone said Id scored a few points and thats good, but my job in the team is to kick goals.

To be honest at 7-3 down I would have taken a win at any cost. But fortunately for me the ball went over today and I came through it fine.

It has been a great team day. Im a big believer in what you get out is what you put in and I have prepared well.

I prefer to go into games tired but heavily prepared and today was the reward for all the preparation Ive done.

Wilkinson was back in the famous white jersey for the first time since scoring the last-gasp drop goal which won the World Cup in 2003 and it looked as if he had never been away.

His combination with scrum-half Harry Ellis was one of the games highlights and he also revelled in the presence of former rugby league great Andy Farrell at inside centre.

Wilkinson said: Farrell is very assured in the way he sees the game. He is very noisy, very chatty and speaks with authority. The guys listen. Ellis also had a great game.

Wilkinson, who has suffered a horrendous catalogue of injuries since the World Cup, had several stitches inserted in a cut lip inflicted in a collision with Scotland flanker Simon Taylor but otherwise escaped unscathed.

He also explained how he kept his nerve when there was so much expectation surrounding his comeback.

He said: Ive been through about every side of this. Ive been through the young guy with no chance, been through the World Cup and been through the never play again stuff.

In the end you just play the game, you react to what happens next because I of all people know that these things can be taken away so easily.