JONNY WILKINSON is warning his rivals: I want my crown back.

England’s most famous fly-half, a hero of two World Cup finals, lost form and status last season and was replaced by Wasps’ Danny Cipriani.

But Wilko, 29, insists he has never been fitter and retains a hunger for more England glory.

He said: “I dug some holes for myself during the Six Nations. My form was not where I wanted it to be and I knew I needed tidy-up surgery on my right shoulder.

“There are more challengers for the England jersey out there than ever before, led by Danny. He has what it takes to be a top No 10 — strength of character, a voice, an opinion and the confidence to yell at bigger, older guys. Not to mention his talent is incredible.

“But the type of animal I am, I still want to be the best I can be. I still have the hunger to excel, to play, to achieve.”

Wilkinson missed England’s two-Test trip to New Zealand in June to correct a wasted muscle problem in the joint of his right shoulder.

He added: “It dated back five years. Sometimes it was a problem, at others no problem at all. But the surgeon said I’d done the right thing getting it fixed.”

Wilkinson, with 70 caps and an England record 1,032 Test points, could be forgiven for taking a relaxed view of the fight for places in team manager Martin Johnson’s new side.

But the bad news for Cipriani — recovering from a dislocated fracture of his right ankle — and the other challengers is that Wilkinson looks and sounds just as he did in his pomp.

He revealed: “I didn’t sit around all summer analysing my mistakes. I took responsibility for them and went back to work. Whatever other people believe, I’ve never considered myself the undisputed England No 10. How could I?

“The quality available to Martin Johnson in this department is tremendous. But I aim to be involved. I’ll probably need someone to tell me when it’s time to walk away.”

Johnson clearly feels Wilko can become an England essential once more.

Wilkinson said: “Jonno knows it would be as special as ever for me to play for England and it would be a joy if I was asked to be captain again. But first things first.”

ENGLAND’S other fly-halves since the 2003 World Cup final have been: Paul Grayson, Mike Catt, Olly Barkley, Charlie Hodgson, Andy Goode, Shane Geraghty, Andy Farrell, Toby Flood and Danny Cipriani.