Graphic: How England can make the breakthrough against France

Jonny Wilkinson will not let the row over the balls at the World Cup affect his kicking, according to Matt Dawson, his former England team-mate.

The fly half has not been his normal accurate self with the boot during the tournament, citing the new Gilbert Synergie balls being used as a problem.

It has emerged that some balls have been found to be over-inflated, prompting calls from the England camp that they be tested before Saturday’s semi-final against France.

But Dawson, who was scrum half when the English tasted World Cup glory in Sydney four years ago, is backing Wilkinson to put the controversy to one side and rediscover his form in Paris.

“He’s so methodical in his preparation, there’s no way he’s going to go and practice kicking his balls with the wrong pressure,” Dawson said.

“He’s probably not kicking as well as he could do. But having said that, there’s no way anyone will be spending more time on the training park than him. I can’t see him missing a thing at the weekend.”

Dawson also believes Brian Ashton’s men need to rekindle memories of the 1991 quarter-final between the two sides at the Parc des Princes - known at the ‘Battle of Paris’ - and take the physical route against France.

“The English have to step up their defence and get right in the face of the French,” he said. “As soon as they sit back and the French get that flair, joie de vivre, they’re going to be a very difficult side to stop.

“England need to get very aggressive in their defence and hope that their attacking play can see them through.”