Jonny Wilkinson: No England coaching role looming ahead of World Cup

The 35-year-old had been reported to be on the verge of taking a kicking consultancy role with Stuart Lancaster's team ahead of a crucial few months as they build towards a World Cup on home soil.

However, when quizzed about the stories, Wilkinson, who scored 1,179 points for his country in 91 appearances, said he remained committed to his coaching role at Toulon.

He told Sky Sports News HQ: "I love the England set-up and I love the boys and all that, but it's not my job.

"I'd love to do that, but I'm not coaching there. I'm not involved in any way. I coach with Toulon and it's unfortunately something that's been misreported, I think."

The former British and Irish Lion was coy over England's chances at the World Cup, which gets under way in September, but believes they have the tools to go deep into the tournament.

"I think it would take a brave person to bet against England," he said. "Okay, you might not choose to bet for them, but I would definitely say it's a brave decision to bet against them.

"I look at England and I think they've got it all. There's a lot of responsibility in these next coming months to really pick up the pace and intensity because that's what's going to count at the end."

Wilkinson thinks Lancaster's side should take heart from their performances in the recently concluded RBS 6 Nations, despite their third successive runners-up finish.

It is their displays, not results, which hearten Wilkinson, who added: "Ireland deserved to win but I think first, second and third all had a great run.

"We've been pushing this idea, myself and a few other guys, just talking about how important the performance is.

"I really think for for the first time people are understanding that you can't win everything.

"Okay, (England) lost in Ireland but Ireland lost to Wales - it happens, but the performances have shown this team is going somewhere, they're on the move, they're finding the right balances, they're finding the right combinations and also their energy is one where you have faith now."