Wilkinson aiming for Lions spot

Jonny Wilkinson says touring with the Lions next summer would be the perfect way to end to his international career.

The Toulon fly-half retired from England duty following last year's World Cup but always maintained he would be available if the Lions came calling. The former Newcastle star's decision to quit the international scene appears to have paid dividends and he is now considered to be the Top 14's premier number 10, leading to that speculation he could be selected by coach Warren Gatland. The 33-year-old previously toured with the Lions in 2001 and 2005 and having lost both series, he believes winning in Australia would be the perfect end to his representative career. "There's no way I could say no," he said. "In terms of what that represents, everything about it, it's enormous. Such a fabulous thing. "The joy is the fact it doesn't have to come with international rugby. It doesn't matter where you come from. You have got six weeks, get your boots on and get into it."