Betsen: Jonny is perfect 10

12 April 2012

France flanker Serge Betsen has dubbed Jonny Wilkinson "an example of professionalism and perseverance" as he prepares to renew hostilities with his old England rival in Saturday's World Cup semi-final.

Betsen still regards his old foe as the "best number 10 in the world" and has nothing but respect for the way he has fought back from injury.

"He has shown everybody that he is still the best," Betsen said. "He has shown to everybody that he has been out of action for three or four years, but he is still able to be ready for the World Cup. That is great for him. I congratulate him for this. It's an example of professionalism and perseverance."

New Zealand's Dan Carter and South Africa's Butch James have stolen a march on Wilkinson in recent years in the battle for the mantle of being the world's leading number 10, but having seen him at this World Cup and remembering the experiences with him down the years, Betsen's opinion remains unchanged.

"It's more the media that build up the story (of their rivalry)," the Biarritz back-rower added. "For me, what is important is that I am playing the best number 10 in the world.

"The key to this match will be not making mistakes and not giving him any of the ball to punish us. If we are able to avoid making mistakes like we did against New Zealand last week, that will be very important for us. And it is not just me who must stop him, everybody has a role to play there."

Betsen turned from hero to villain for Les Bleus in the 2003 World Cup semi-final between the two nations in the Sydney rain.

He capitalised on an England line-out error to score France's only try of the game early on, but after the interval he caught Wilkinson with a late hit, was sentenced to 10 minutes in the sin bin and England went on to seal a 24-7 triumph.

"Four years ago England were the better team that day," he recalled. "At that time we were playing the best team in the world and there's nothing we could have done - it's as simple as that."

"It was the ambition of the French team to get to the final and the chance eluded them. I felt guilty because the team was penalised as a result of my yellow card. But I think that will spur me on. The English have what we don't have - the World Cup trophy."

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