Jonny Wilkinson Clockwatch
PA Sport
February 3, 2007

England flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson made a fairytale return to international rugby on Saturday, steering England to a 42-20 Six Nations victory over Scotland - check out our clockwatch of his performance.

1min: England's returning hero kicks off, high and to the right for his first touch since winning the World Cup for England more than three years ago.

1: A first run for Wilkinson who makes five yards and does well to shrug off the first Scottish challenge before going to ground.

2: A rusty looking pass from the Newcastle man, as the ball goes to ground before reaching its target. Seconds later Wilkinson shapes for a drop goal but instead punts the ball high into the air, testing a Scottish defence who deal with it well.

7: Typically precise kick to touch and England build on their fly-half's footwork to go over, but the referee - correctly - refuses to award the score.

8: A bloody mouth for Wilkinson who has been heavily involved early on. The Physio arrives to mop the blood but nothing serious to worry about for the home fans.

10: A first score for Wilkinson, whose famous crouching stance does not let him down on an easy penalty in front of the posts. England go 3-0 ahead.

18: A good restart from Wilkinson whose hanging kick allows Joe Worsley to win possession. Harry Ellis feeds the No.10 who proceeds to score a perfectly executed, trademark drop goal from 20 yards.

28: Despite England going behind after Simon Taylor's try, Wilkinson's radar is unaffected and he slots home a second penalty with ease.

31: A third successful penalty from three attempts, this time from the left, puts England 12-10 ahead.

37: Good awareness as he produces a fine off-load to fellow World Cup-winner Jason Robinson on his way to a comeback try. Wilkinson finally shows his fallibility by missing a tough conversion from the left touchline.

41: Wilkinson starts the second half with some hastily applied stitches in his wounded lip.

48: Another penalty for Wilkinson as he continues to show his team-mates what they have been missing in his absence.

53: Penalty number five as he continues to make the turn a strong showing from the forwards into points.

55: Another try for the effervescent Robinson and Wilkinson plays his part with relish, slotting home the conversion from wide on the left.

58: Wilkinson completes a fairytale comeback with a try, awarded in controversial circumstances after fine work from Ellis. Wilkinson's takes the ball 10 yards out before some wonderful handiwork sees him ground the ball one-handed while suspended in mid-air. Replays suggest his trailing leg may have been in touch.

59: Scottish hearts are broken as the golden boy of English rugby celebrates his score with a wonderful conversion to make it 37-13.

65: The once dodgy shoulder is given a workout as Wilkinson throws himself into a lusty tackle as the Scots surge. Thankfully there are no signs of a `stinger'.

68: Wilkinson, dominating proceedings, kicks long upfield before the ball spins out into touch, proving his tactical kicking is still as strong as his goal kicking.

73: Magnus Lund goes over and Wilkinson, in his last action before being taken off by Brian Ashton, fails to convert as he misses the right-hand post.

74: A standing ovation from the crowd and handshake from Ashton completes a job well done.

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