Jonny Wilkinson ruled himself out of the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia, coach Warren Gatland said after unveiling his squad on Tuesday. However, the New Zealander said fly-half Wilkinson, who a decade ago kicked the match-winning drop-goal that saw England defeat Australia in a thrilling World Cup final in Sydney, could yet be called up as a replacement.

Prop forward Joe Marler has said England would back themselves to win the World Cup if it started tomorrow but stressed there was plenty of work to be done before they play host to the next edition in 2015. England are on a fine run of form at present, having beaten world champions New Zealand in December, and they lead the Six Nations with two wins out of two. Victories at home to Scotland and away to Ireland have left England as the only country in this season's Six Nations capable of winning a Grand Slam ahead of the visit of France a week on Saturday.

British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland insisted Wednesday he'd happily field an entire XV of England players in the first Test against Australia if they were the best available. Gatland was trying to defuse a row caused by remarks, reportedly made in Tuesday's London Evening Standard, saying too many England players could lead to the kind of media "circus" that derailed their 2011 World Cup campaign in the coach's native New Zealand.

British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland admitted to the London Evening Standard on Tuesday that he is wary of picking too many English players for this year's tour of Australia despite their fine form in the Six Nations. The 49-year-old New Zealander -- who guided Wales to the Six Nations Grand Slam last year but has taken a leave of absence to coach the Lions -- said the bad behaviour of some of the England players at the 2011 World Cup could be a bad omen.