Jonny Wilkinson: 'George Ford should start for England'

Jonny Wilkinson has backed George Ford to be England's starting fly-half ahead of Owen Farrell for the Rugby World Cup.

The Bath player started the 21-13 win over Ireland in the host nation's final warm-up match before the start of the tournament, but Farrell came off the bench to add two penalties late on.

Wilkinson, who kicked the winning points for England in the 2003 Rugby World Cup final, told talkSPORT: "The great thing about it is if you play George Ford he will grow and grow and grow in that shirt over a period of time.

"But the same thing exactly goes for Owen Farrell. Ford's secure at the moment though I think, and they will go into the World Cup really happy with what they've got."

England face Fiji in their opening fixture of the tournament on September 18.