England backs Jonny Wilkinson and Toby Flood are set to stage a "shootout" to decide which of them will take kicking duties during the team's Rugby World Cup quarter final against France on Saturday, reports say.
Wilkinson's woeful 45 per cent success rate at this year's tournament has put hisspot as first choice England goalkicker in jeopardy for the first time, The Guardian reported. He has landed only nine from 20 attempts at goal - the lowest of any first tier nation - compared to Flood's 77 per cent success rate.
The Guardian said England had taken the unusual step of switching their press conference venue to their team hotel to stop press watching the private shootout.
It said Wilkinson was "happy" with his kicking being put under pressure.
"It's something I'm perfectly happy with," he said. "I think I've had most of my ego knocked out of me along the way. The longer you play the longer you realise the whole thing is about the team. It's a funny one. I've battled with that whole concept spiritually and physically, in terms of some of the feelings it comes with."
Flood, who held the first-five spot as England won the Six Nations this year, impressed after coming on as a substitute in the comeback win over Scotland in the defining Pool B match.
It was his cutout pass that set up winger Chris Ashton for the late try that clinched qualification. He also landed a conversion from the sideline.
He has been teamed together with Wilkinson for the quarter finals, due to a lingering leg injury to England captain Mike Tindall.
