Jonathan Davies: For Jonny to be the very best he needs a rest

Jonny Wilkinson's major part in England's Grand Slam success has brought the usual comparisons with outside-halves of the past, and although it is difficult to measure ability across different eras, there is no doubt he ranks with the best that the world has seen.

There is not much point judging him against particular players. He would be better at some aspects of the No 10 game but not as good at others. For instance, you would not call him the quickest that there has ever been, his acceleration would not be the sharpest, and there were those who had a more devastating side-step.

But no outside-half has ever been perfect, and if you add up all his qualities he is probably closer to the complete item than anyone has been in that position.

While I think that every good outside-half could have performed well in eras other than his own, because attitude and ability have and always will be vital, you have to consider the context in which they played.

It is taking nothing away from Jonny to say that he is very fortunate to play in an England side who are reaching a very high peak. The pack are absolutely fantastic, and are the best in the world by a mile. Jonny has grown in stature along with them. He is a big part of the England team, and they are a big part of him.

His progress has been fascinating to watch. If you recall him playing for the Lions in Australia in the summer of 2001, he was not anything like as dynamic. Neither was his kicking as deadly efficient. Perhaps he was overawed, but if his penalty strike rate had been as good then as it is now the Lions would have been successful.

The way he dominated the game against Ireland in Dublin last weekend shows how great has been his improvement. His gritty character has also emerged. Most outside-halves are tough little gits, and he adds a nasty streak in the way he tackles opponents.

He has a savage determination which belies his quiet disposition off the field. He is a very nice guy when you are not advancing on him with a ball tucked under your arm, and I am certain that we have not seen the end of his development. Last week's performance will certainly make him a better player, because he is acquiring amazing confidence for a 23-year-old.

It is not only his kicking that makes him so exceptional. He thinks well and has excellent vision. He sees what is around him with real clarity. When he has slow ball you can see him looking for the likeliest option, and it certainly helps when you can kick left-or right-footed.

To drop vital goals with the wrong foot is a remarkable talent. I am right-footed, and although I could use my left when I had to I shiver at the thought of attempting to drop a goal with it in a match of that magnitude.

That would not begin to worry Wilkinson. In fact, nothing seems to worry him. He has this problem with his shoulder, but after he went off for a blood-binning last Saturday he came back as aggressive as ever.

England are a happy camp these days and he thrives in this environment, but I really would consider resting him in mid-summer. He will not want it, of course, but no one can go on devouring hard work in that fashion. The last thing he needs is a long journey to Australia and New Zealand.

I would leave him at home, and I would leave a few others with him. Martin Johnson, Jason Leonard, Richard Hill, Matt Dawson, Will Greenwood and Jason Robinson – by the end of the club season they will have had a long, battering time.

England have so big a squad they need to give other players the benefit of some demanding international rugby. What is the point of having strength in depth if you don't give the deep players a chance to rise to the surface? How else are they going to be prepared if they are needed to step into the breach? England play against France twice and Wales once at the end of August, so that's the time they can bring in their refreshed stars.

All that is important now is the World Cup, and England can win it. I am not saying they will, but we now know that they can.