Wilkinson offers some instruction during a training session earlier this week © Getty Images

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England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson has urged his side to toughen up ahead of their Twickenham showdown with New Zealand.

The Toulon No.10 is one of only four members of the England squad to have tasted victory over the All Blacks, along with fellow veterans Joe Worsley, Lewis Moody and Steve Thompson. Wilkinson played a key role in England's triumphs over the All Blacks at Twickenham in November 2002 and in Wellington in the summer of 2003.

But England have not tasted success against New Zealand since that memorable victory in Dunedin six years ago with their latest reverse coming 12 months ago when an ill-disciplined England had four players sin-binned on their way to a record 32-6 home defeat.

Drawing on those experiences from 2002 and 2003, Wilkinson warned England will have to be resilient when things go against them - or New Zealand will romp to another victory.

"You have to react hard. You have to push yourself. You have to accept it will be fast and frantic and tough. They are full of world-class players and you cannot switch off," said Wilkinson. "Minute by minute you have to take your hits, accept they are a good team and that they might pop over a penalty here or score a try there.

"You have to react and come back. That is what we did a few years ago. We had situations against the best teams when we were scores down. You have to stick to your task. It is difficult but you have to keep these games tight. If you let New Zealand build up momentum and take control then suddenly you are out of the game.

"With half an hour left you are wondering where it has gone. It is not one of those games you can hang in there."

In 2002, Wilkinson claimed a full-house in England's 31-28 victory at Twickenham and the following summer he scored all the points in an era-defining 15-13 win in horrendous conditions in New Zealand. It was that performance, with England at one stage forced to defend a series of five-metre scrums with a six-man pack, which led to Sir Clive Woodward's side being described as "white orcs on steroids".

Since then, though, New Zealand fly-half Dan Carter has accumulated more points on his own than England have managed between them. The average score is Carter 19 England 13. Significantly, Saturday's match will be Wilkinson's first confrontation with Carter in England colours having previously faced him for the British & Irish Lions.

"Whether it is scoring points, making decisions, defending, attacking, coming up with the big play himself, setting others up for the big play, he does them all," said Wilkinson of Carter.

"He has a skill level that is impeccably high. Is he one of the most skilful players there has ever been? I think without a doubt. He has the personality, the character, the skills and without doubt the faith of his team.

"When he is on form and playing well, which is most of the time, their team is flying. When they are flying you know you are in trouble so we need to keep a close eye on him."