Danny Care has come out in support of under-fire Jonny Wilkinson ahead of England's RBS Six Nations clash with Ireland on Saturday.
England scrum-half comes out in support of underfire No.10
Danny Care has come out in support of underfire Jonny Wilkinson ahead of England's RBS Six Nations clash with Ireland at Twickenham on Saturday.
England have won their opening two games of this season's championship - but Wilkinson's position has come under increasing pressure.
A lacklustre display in Rome, when England stuttered to a 17-12 victory, saw Wilkinson singled out for criticism for kicking away too much possession and not releasing the backs.
However 23-year-old Care insists that the entire England squad are totally behind the hero of the 2003 World Cup final.
"It's great to be out there with him," said Care.
"He's the most experienced fly-half I've ever played with and he's done everything in the game. He doesn't stop talking to you and that's exactly what you need as a scrum-half. You need a fly-half shouting at you the whole time.
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"Everybody is entitled to their opinion but I think Jonny is a fantastic member of the squad, he's great to be around and none of the criticism is coming from anywhere in the camp, that's for sure."
Although England showed signs of adventure against the Azzurri, they were criticised for being far tot cautious.
However Care believes that the safety first approach maybe necessary if they are to end Ireland's hopes of recording three successive wins at Twickenham.
He said: "It's very easy to sit in the stands and say they should be throwing it around but when you are in the moment, you have to do what you think is right.
"We'd love to throw the ball around the whole game but at this level you can't do it because if teams catch you out they'll punish you. Sometimes you have to put boot to ball."
