Barkley - magnificent against Wales

By Neal Collins

Talk about tough guys. This week, Olly Barkley, at 22, has been accused of selling Twickenham tickets on the black market, had his lap top stolen from the team's Bagshot Hotel and had a stone put through his window.

Yet still he went out on his full debut on Saturday and kicked a near-perfect six out of seven goals at a gale-swept Twickenham to score 16 of England's points.

Wales captain Colin Charvis said: "The youngster was great. He kicked the points which put them ahead no trouble and the conditions were terrible."

Barkley himself said: "I'll wait until I see the video before I start making judgements on how I played.

"The most important thing is that we won. Today wasn't a great performance but it was an improvement on Ireland.

We'll have to work hard before France.

"Clive told me Grayson's calf was dodgy on Wednesday when I was due to go home, so I was waiting and waiting for the call.

"It actually came on Friday when I was practising my kicking.

"The first 10 or 15 seconds were a bit nervy. I said to my mum the things that have happened to me this week will stay with me for years.

"It's been a difficult week. I had my lap top stolen, a stone thrown through my hotel window - not by accident - and allegations over tickets.

"And then I was told I was starting!"

Barkley, who had trials for Wales as a rugby player and Arsenal as a footballer, admits: "My dream when I was growing up was to be like the All Black Carlos Spencer. All the side-stepping and stuff.

"But now kicking has become a massive part of my position.

"It's never easy to fill the boots of Jonny Wilkinson. But I can't think about that. It would effect my confidence.

"The wind wasn't actually that bad, but it did change direction nine, ten times.

"Six out of seven? The one I missed was because I cramped up at the end.

"I get asked if I model my kicking style on Jonny Wilkinson but it was Paul Grayson who taught me.

"And I don't actually clasp my hands like Jonny!"