Jonny Wilkinson is likely to make it business as usual - record-breaking business - during the 2008 Six Nations Championship.

The most prolific points scorer in English international rugby history could reach further significant milestones over the next two months.

And although there are a queue of rival fly-halves waiting to capitalise on any loss of form, do not bet against Newcastle's finest moving up a gear.

Perhaps for the first time during his 65-cap England career, serious long-term challengers have emerged for the number 10 shirt.

Wasps' gifted youngster Danny Cipriani, Gloucester playmaker Ryan Lamb and a rejuvenated Charlie Hodgson are all in prime form as the countdown continues towards England's Six Nations opener against Wales at Twickenham on February 2.

Wilkinson though, has never shirked a challenge, and one senses the considerable competition in England's pivotal position will inspire him.

Provided he is selected for the Wales game, Wilkinson's first successful goal kick will take him past former Italian Test hero Diego Dominguez into second place on Test rugby's all-time points chart.

Wilkinson needs just 18 points to reach 1,000 for England, and he is only 67 behind Neil Jenkins' world record haul of 1,049.

Should Wilkinson maintain his current 14.7 points per Test average - and he plays in all five of England's Six Nations games - then he will pass Welshman Jenkins some time during the Ireland clash at Twickenham on March 15.

Wilkinson already holds most Six Nations records in the book.

He is the tournament's highest scorer with 429 points, he has scored more points in one Six Nations campaign - 89 - than any other player, while his 35 points against Italy in 2001 remains the landmark figure for one match.

Wilkinson's place among the greats of English rugby is already assured, yet at 28 and with three years' injury misery seemingly behind him, this season's Six Nations offers an important career platform.

Having returned to the England fold in the opening fixture of last year's tournament against Scotland at Twickenham, the honeymoon period - not that Wilkinson would ever think of things that way - is over.

Cipriani, especially, is a significant threat to Wilkinson's continued presence as England fly-half.

But those who work with Wilkinson every day - his coaching staff at Newcastle - have no doubt their prized asset is ready to meet the challenge.

Falcons' technical director Steve Bates, the recently-appointed England Saxons coach, pays Wilkinson a glowing tribute.

Bates said: "I know there is lots of talk about various young fly-halves coming through at the moment, but you would have to go a very, very long way to usurp Jonny.

"He is in excellent form, he is enjoying his rugby and he is in magnificent physical shape.

"You just have to look at the guy every single day in training, which people on the outside don't see.

"He is in absolutely sensational condition, and he has a huge amount to offer."

Conversely, there are those who firmly believe Wilkinson is on borrowed time as England's fly-half, and it is a question of when - rather than if - Cipriani forces his way in.

For his part, 20-year-old Cipriani has emphatically answered every question thrown at him, coping impressively with the Guinness Premiership's attritional nature and then raising the bar for huge Heineken Cup games.

Wilkinson will have taken note, of that you can be certain, and he knows there is an expectancy surrounding him at a level he probably has not experienced since 2003 when England conquered planet rugby.

How he responds will prove a fascinating element of England's Six Nations season.

The result could be spectacular.

SportingLife / Eurosport