But he galvanised England on his return, scoring 67 points, although his place-kicking success rate was about 60%.

BBC: Wilkinson was hampered by injury

Myler, who had a good all-round game despite his place-kicking woes, released Foden and the England prospect crossed in the left corner.

BBC: Wasps 9-5 Northampton

The Ospreys scored a classy try of their own through Nikki Walker, plus one from prop Duncan Jones, but were let down by James Hook's place-kicking.

BBC: Ospreys 16-20 Ulster

May, taking over the place-kicking duties as well as Wilkinson's position, inched Toulon back ahead but Blair replied for Blues to leave things deadlocked entering the final quarter.

BBC: Cardiff Blues 28-21 Toulon

Hook was unable to reproduce his sparkling form of the Six Nations, struggling uncharacteristically with his place-kicking, but it is unthinkable that the Osprey will not play in the World Cup.

BBC: Jenkins hints at World Cup places

But the score line seemed a little unfair to the Scots, who shared possession and territory, but lacked penetration and the finishing quality displayed by their hosts, while some wayward place-kicking by Gregor also cost them.

BBC: Cardiff Blues 38-6 Glasgow

The wind was playing havoc with Carter's place-kicking and he missed the conversion, prompting the unusual move of replacing the star fly-half for the next penalty chance, which Piri Weepu calmly sent over to make it 21-10.

BBC: Tri-Nations: New Zealand 31-17 South Africa