The fly-half’s name is Wilkinson and his talent is blossoming!
KIERAN Wilkinson is set to make his third Premiership appearance of the season for Sale today, on his 22nd birthday.
The Blackpool-born playmaker is named on the bench as back-up to Rob du Preez and will hope to make as positive an impact as he did when coming on and kicking the matchwinner in the round one 20-19 win over Bath.
It may have been a straightforward kick in front of the posts but even out wide, the nerveless Wilkinson says he would have backed himself.
“It was quite an easy one but I am chuffed to have got it. We worked hard to get into the 22 and got the penalty, and thankfully I put it through the poles,” he said.
“You have to back yourself as a fly-half in anything you do, if you're not confident in going for the kick, most of the time you are not going to make it. I would say I am a confidence-based player, so I like to think I am going to nail kicks from everywhere.
“The team relies on you as the 10 to prepare and lead and if they see you shrinking, it is going to have an effect on the team.”
After an ACL reconstruction, when meniscus repair disrupted his progress, Wilkinson found his feet again on loan at Coventry last season and has the class to keep Du Preez and the sidelined AJ MacGinty on their toes.
The former Kirkham Grammar School pupil returned to Sale in time to feature in three end-ofseason games, including last year's semi-final against the Chiefs, and has kicked on to be an ever-present in the matchday 23 this term.
“I just want to take the opportunities I get,” he said. “I am really grateful to be playing for my hometown club and I put everything into the shirt.”
As a fly-half named Wilkinson in the Premiership, there is something of a legacy to live up to, but the former England U20 team-mate of Marcus Smith insists it doesn't come with any pressure.
“There was one time I did a kicking session with Marcus, Cameron Redpath and Tom Hardwick at Pennyhill Park with Jonny, and we had a little joke about me being a Wilkinson. But I've never had any pressure from people saying, ‘oh he's a Wilkinson' and any of that stuff because I think people knew I wasn't related.”
Sale have thrown away 17-point leads in their first two games and while it did not cost them the win against Bath, they had to settle for a 31-31 draw against London Irish.
Wilkinson does not read too much into the secondhalf failures: “There are some fixes needed but if we stick to our processes, we'll get it right.”
Exeter arrive at the AJ Bell on the back of two defeats but Wilkinson believes their malaise will only be temporary.
“Exeter have been up there for seven/eight years,” he said. “They are a champion side. It has been a tough start for them but at the end of the season, they will be up there. We know what's coming…”
