England great\u00a0Matt Dawson\u00a0once caused a stir when he questioned\u00a0Jonny Wilkinson\u2019s natural playmaking instincts, despite the fly-half\u2019s status as one of rugby\u2019s all-time greats.<\/p>\n
\u2b50 Save us to your Google Favourites <\/a>for nonstop RUCK content!<\/p>\n Writing in a 2010 column, Dawson claimed Wilkinson lacked the innate ability to read the game and adapt on the fly. The former scrum-half suggested that Wilkinson thrived best when surrounded by strong decision-makers \u2014 not when left to direct the game himself.<\/p>\n \u201cWilkinson can play in the way that has been planned on a flip chart in team meetings, but if it comes down to him to work out on the hoof what options to take, more often than not he will kick \u2014 and miss opportunities to attack.\u201d<\/p>\n Dawson added that Wilkinson\u2019s success often depended on the influence of teammates such as\u00a0Mike Catt,\u00a0Will Greenwood,\u00a0Kyran Bracken\u00a0\u2014 or himself. Those comments didn\u2019t go unnoticed. England\u2019s 2003 World Cup-winning captain\u00a0Martin Johnson\u00a0delivered a trademark put-down in response: Meanwhile,\u00a0Austin Healey\u00a0also leapt to Wilkinson\u2019s defence, urging critics \u2014 including Dawson \u2014 to back off. The exchange underlined the contrasting views within England\u2019s 2003-winning squad \u2014 and showed how even one of the most decorated fly-halves in rugby history could divide opinion.<\/p>\n EDITORS PICKS:<\/p>\n Fans can\u2019t believe the Radio Times top 10 rugby union players of all-time list<\/p>\n #10. Antoine Dupont (France)<\/p>\n They wrote:<\/a> \u201cWe know what you\u2019re thinking \u2013 it\u2019s far too early to add the award-winning French scrum-half to this greatest of all time list.<\/p>\n \u201cBut the Les Bleus\u2019 talisman is undoubtedly leading one of the most exciting teams on the international stage, all while helping to change the perception of the sport.\u201d<\/p>\n #9. Sergio Parisse (Italy)<\/p>\n They wrote: <\/a>\u201cWith a career spanning over twenty years and five Rugby World Cups, the 39 year old Italian giant is the most-capped player in Guinness Six Nations history \u2013 and is still playing for Top 14 team Toulon today.\u201d<\/p>\n #8. Bryan Habana (South Africa)<\/p>\n They wrote: \u201cThe winger\u2019s total caps exceeded the 100 mark across his illustrious 12-year international career, dotting down 67 tries. <\/p>\n \u201cHe also famously equalled Jonah Lomu\u2019s record for the highest number of tries scored at Rugby World Cups (15).\u201d<\/p>\n #7. Gareth Edwards (Wales)<\/p>\n They wrote: \u201cA legendary player in Welsh rugby history, Edwards led a formidable national team which largely dominated the Northern hemisphere.<\/p>\n \u201cThe hugely talented scrum-half was a gifted playmaker and an all-round sportsman. He\u2019s best known for what is considered one of rugby\u2019s greatest ever tries for the Barbarians against New Zealand at Cardiff Arms Park back in 1973.\u201d<\/p>\n #6. Martin Johnson (England)<\/p>\n They wrote: \u201cBest known for captaining the dominant 2003 England side to Rugby World Cup glory, the 6ft 7 towering skipper commanded a real presence on the pitch, with an enviable talent for reading the game.<\/p>\n \u201cIn 2001, Johnson became the first player to captain the British and Irish Lions twice, and was remarkably involved in all 10 Five\/Six Nations tournaments since his debut. He also captained the Leicester Tigers to four successive Premiership titles.\u201d<\/p>\n CONTINUES ON PAGE TWO<\/a><\/p>\n Like this:<\/p>\n Like Loading…<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat is missing in his repertoire is an ability to read the game, understand where England are playing and where they should be playing,\u201d Dawson wrote.<\/p>\n
\u201cJonny needs players around him\u2026 to take decisions. Then he will execute them brilliantly.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t make any decisions either; it was all Matt Dawson.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGet off Jonny Wilkinson\u2019s case \u2013 and that includes you, Matt Dawson,\u201d Healey insisted.<\/p>\n