Jonny Wilkinson, who seems to have been groomed as England's rugby captain ever since he was a 10-year-old schoolboy, knows he has been handed the job for one match only because of injury to regular skipper Martin Johnson.

But he intends to do the job his own way when he fulfils his boyhood dream by leading Clive Woodward's side out against Italy in the RBS 6 Nations Championship at Twickenham on Sunday.

``What I can't do is try and be someone else. It wouldn't be convincing for me to try and do what Johnno did, people wouldn't take to that.

``Everyone's different. I really enjoy playing under Martin Johnson as a captain. He's someone who has a massive effect on me because of his authority and his approach to the game is no nonsense, a straight-talking get in there and get the job done approach and that's something I really appreciate as a
player,'' said the 23-year-old fly-half whose goalkicking has proved important so often for England.

Despite the pressure of the international arena, leading England could well be less demanding than captaining Zurich Premiership relegation strugglers Newcastle because Wilkinson will be in charge of a consistently winning team currently ranked number one in the world.

But he believes he has learned from all his rugby experiences and has a leadership education stretching all the way from his schooldays to the international arena when he takes the field on Sunday.

``My captaining approach from Newcastle is one of trying to get the best out of the players in the team, trying to make sure they can perform on the day due to their preparations, making sure everything is mentioned and all the ground is covered and everyone knows what they need, be that mentally or physically, so they can go out there and do their job.

``I have learnt a lot at Newcastle this year through being in an undesirable area of the league. I'm aware of the pressures there. This is another challenge for me to try and meet and one I'm keen to prepare for and make the most of,''
he said.

Wilkinson knows he is surrounded by experience which will help in his new role with England.

``They know how I prepare and how I do things and that is what has got me to this stage and hopefully it will get me further so I'm keen to go in there and be myself and make the most of guys like Lawrence Dallaglio, Will Greenwood and Matt Dawson, who have great experience. Those guys make all the right noises,'' he said.

Wilkinson admits to being ``massively excited'' by his newest challenge, enthusing: ``It's a dream come true. It's something I've always wanted to do.''

But he is not looking at it on a long-term basis, stressing: ``I can only really prepare for this game and do everything I want to get done and try and make it a good result. It's really a case of enjoying the occasion and enjoying being in the team.

``I'm proud of being in this team and I'm proud of working with Martin Johnson and that's all I want to focus on. If I keep in the team and keep winning then I'll be happy.''

And he is certainly not underestimating facing a side who have this season gone some way towards shaking off their unwanted tag as the whipping boys of the Six Nations.

``Italy have had a great start, especially against Wales their performance was fantastic.

``I'm just glad to be involved now and what's most important for me, especially as captain, is to say after Sunday we are still on line in this tournament,'' said Wilkinson.

And, although he will adopt his own approach, he is confident that some things will be exactly the same whoever is in charge.

``I'll go into this game just like Martin goes into every game. What is in his mind is going in there and coming out successful. I know these guys are going to go out there and get fully prepared and give it everything they have got - whether it's Martin Johnson or me or anyone,'' added Wilkinson.