England v New Zealand, Twickenham, November 21

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Dan Carter has pinpointed Jonny Wilkinson as England's main threat © Getty Images

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Players/Officials Dan Carter | Martin Johnson | Jonny Wilkinson

Tournaments/Tours New Zealand tour

Teams England | New Zealand

Dan Carter has identified Jonny Wilkinson as the main threat to the All Blacks this weekend and spoken of his respect for the England fly-half.

Carter will face off against Wilkinson for the first time since the British & Irish Lions' disastrous series against the All Blacks in 2005, when Carter sealed his place as the world's premier fly-half with a string of majestic performances.

Wilkinson will have to be at his absolute best if he is to arrest England's slide this weekend and endured a poor outing against Argentina last weekend. Nevertheless Carter is full of praise for his opposite number.

"I've got so much respect for Jonny - he's a class player and is getting back to his best form," said the 27-year-old. "Obviously he has had a pretty frustrating couple of years but I think he has bounced back extremely well from the challenges he's faced.

"He still poses a real threat to us. He's the player we have identified who can really steer and direct the English team around. He will punish you if you give away penalties in your own half because he's such a great goal-kicker. We need to cut down his time and space. His physicality is the great strength of his game. He always gives 100% to the team and puts his body on the line."

Wilkinson's summer move to Toulon has revitalised his international career, in contrast with Carter's disappointing sojourn with Perpignan at the start of the year. He played only five matches for the French champions before and Achilles injury wrecked his stay.

He maintains that the experience was a positive one, though, and that it has refreshed his appetite for the game.

"It's pretty challenging playing a new competition. Sometimes in life you need a change in lifestyle and different challenges," he said. "That's exactly what I was after with my French experience with Perpignan.

"There are some similarities with Jonny - a new lifestyle, a new challenge and a new team. He seems to be relishing it and I'm sure he will be a lot fresher because of it. It was a frustrating time for me in Perpignan but, if anything, it has really freshened me up. I have a lot of motivation right now.

"A lot of players have had a pretty full-on season, (and are) coming to the end of it. But I feel fresh, I don't feel I'm at the end of my season. It's a real bonus for me, I have a lot of energy and am looking forward to the game."

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