Jonny Wilkinson is a man who has been through more than most over the past two years.

18 months ago the Newcastle Falcons outside-half kicked THAT drop goal to secure a historic World Cup victory for England in Australia.

Since that night, Wilkinson has been blighted by injury and has not played for England since.

In fact the 25-year-old has only managed a handful of club games since and his inclusion in the Lions squad has raised a few eyebrows.

Wilkinson himself has admitted that he only made the 45-man squad on reputation rather than form and the World's most famous rugby player is determined to win back respect among his peers, and supporters alike. Speaking to Argus Sport, he said: "I hate feeling like I am not earning the respect and confidence of players around me.

"I felt the way things had gone for me it would be difficult to earn a place in the squad.

"The likes of Stephen Jones, Ronan O'Gara and Charlie Hodgson have been playing solidly all year.

"With that in mind I found it difficult to see how I would earn a place and I've got to show that I'm worth my place.

"Now I am here I will continue to try and do that. I am very grateful and lucky to be here."

Wilkinson was yesterday named in Sir Clive Woodward's starting 15 to face Argentina at the Millennium Stadium.

And now he is determined to move on from that kick 17-months ago, something he has found near impossible to do.

He said: "For me it has been very difficult to do that. I don't like thinking about going back to the past and what I did as part of that fantastic England team a year or so ago.

"I haven't been able to go out and perform on the field, not through a lack of trying but through the situation."

As he admits the chance of playing for the Lions this summer has been Wilkinson's motivation.

"There was a time, with my second knee injury when I was waiting for the scan, that the Lions seemed like a light at the end of the tunnel - but not a very bright one," he said.

But through sheer determination Wilkinson has got himself fit and no-one would bet against him lining up for Woodward's British Lions in that first test against New Zealand on June 25 in Christchurch.