Jonny Wilkinson doesn't actually like kicking. For someone who makes a point of booting a ball around for two hours every day, even on Christmas Day, and has made a career out of kicking down rugby points records, that it is quite a confession.

But Wilkinson insists it is true and the reason he is hoping for an attacking and inventive encounter against Ireland in an historic RBS Six Nations match at Croke Park on Saturday. Wilkinson accepts that England's sterile 20-7 victory against Italy at Twickenham was far from impressive and admits that Brian Ashton's men must improve.

He said: "We came away with a win and kept Italy two scores back, which meant we were not hanging on at the end. But there was huge disappointment that we were not able to get the best out of our players and I came off the field disappointed because I didn't really feel I had been in a game. I don't like kicking the ball a lot at all, which is a bit of a mistake people make about me.

"I practise it because it is a huge part of the game but it is not something I necessarily like doing. I love the game of rugby for running around and being involved so I was disappointed as well."

Wilkinson, however, is under no illusions about the furnace-like atmosphere England must quell if they are to defeat Ireland. England have not beaten the Irish since they lifted the Grand Slam at Lansdowne Road in 2003, which just so happens to be the last time England's inspirational fly-half lined up against them.

But Wilkinson, the tournament's all-time leading points scorer, is thriving on the challenge. He said: "We've got lots of work to do and that's exactly where we like to be. The pressure is on.

"We've got to find our feet very quickly and understand it's going to be a frantic pace. It's going to be one of those games where, if you lose concentration for a second, that could be it."

You might expect that 2003 England triumph, when captain Martin Johnson was accused of snubbing Irish president Mary McAleese when he refused to line up on the required mark, to be one of Wilkinson's great inspirations.

But true to his intense nature, he much prefers to remember 2001, the year England threw away a grand slam in Dublin. He said: "I learned much more from that experience than in 2003. In 2001 Ireland were outstanding. It felt like they had 16 or 17 people on the field. And they have had the same team together for four or five years now.

"The game has moved on and Ireland are one of the teams who have moved with the times. It is an exciting time for Ireland. They look in great shape. They have key players in all the key areas, lots of them pushing 50 caps. They have got so much experience.

"They've got a big bunch of guys up front who can handle the ball and run hard and great half-backs who control the game. Ireland are the form team and with the game over there maybe it is perceived that they are favourites."

Wilkinson counts Ronan O'Gara, the Ireland fly-half and his British Lions team-mate, as one of his closest friends in rugby and describes Brian O'Driscoll, Irish captain, as having the X-factor, saying: "You never feel you have him covered."

He is also aware of the historical significance of an English team playing for the first time at a venue that has played an important role in Irish nationalism. He said: "Rugby is a very respectful sport. Things like this are massive. It's a great privilege to be involved.

"It is one of the experiences you can look back on when you're older and be very proud that you have taken part in something which means so much. But this game will take a very different shape to the Italy game. It will bring out the best in both sides."

Wilkinson hopes that means less kicking. Ireland, you suspect, might be hoping for the same.