Dan Carter managed to flatter Jonny Wilkinson and England when he confessed to a Sunday tabloid that the Englishman was the best first-five eighth in the world and that he preferred England's winning rugby.

The All Black star told the Sunday Mirror that Wilkinson, who surpassed 1000 points in test rugby against Italy two weeks' ago, was his hero.

"Jonny Wilkinson is definitely better than me. He's achieved a lot more, he's won a World Cup and I admire him a lot.

"He's been around a lot longer than I have and he fought his way back from so many injuries to play in another World Cup final last year.

"I look up to him and he's been an inspiration in my career. Jonny is a hero of mine and he's up there with the best players in the world."

Carter also gave England, who were beaten by Wales at Twickenham for the first time in 20 years and produced a less than convincing victory over Italy in the first two rounds of the Six Nations Championship, a generous boost to their confidence.

"England play a very different style of game to us in the southern hemisphere," he said.

"We play a more open game and are always looking to score tries, but credit to England for getting to another World Cup final.

"It's an awesome achievement and if I had a choice between playing boring rugby and playing in a World Cup final or playing exciting rugby and getting knocked out, I know which one I would choose.

"As a spectator you want to see tries, but as a player you want to go out there and do what you have to do to win - and England can do just that in the rest of the Six Nations tournament."

Justin Marshall proved his versatility for Ospreys on Saturday when he tried on the No 15 jersey for size. It seemed to fit with the former All Black halfback, who earned high praise from the Welsh club's assistant coach Sean Holley afterwards.

"I play squash with Justin every week, and when you play him you realise what a good sportsman he is. I've never beaten him," Holley said.

"As well as that we play a couple of friendly cricket games in the summer and he always has something like 59 not out, three for 12 with the ball and makes a couple of diving catches. He is a true sportsman.

"He played well at fullback. It was difficult for him. He was out of position a couple of times but you can't fault his enthusiasm."

Marshall took on the role because Wales full back Lee Byrne was rested and Steffan Terblanche had returned to South Africa. It also meant that Mike Phillips, the Wales half back, would get game time ahead of Wales' Six Nations clash with Italy this weekend. And while Marshall didn't score in the 37-7 victory over Irish province Connacht, his former All Blacks team-mate Marty Holah managed to when Filo Tiatia set him up for Ospreys' second of four tries.

In the Guinness Premiership there was mixed fortunes for some of the league's highest paid imports. Worcester continue to languish a few points ahead of Leeds at the foot of the table and the Sunday Times speculated on the wisdom of expensive Kiwi signings Rico Gear, Sam Tuitupou, who was sin-binned, and Greg Rawlinson, after the 36-15 defeat by Harlequins. Gear, though scored one of the Warriors' two tries at the Twickenham Stoop.

Luke McAlister continued to earn his keep at Sale, scoring the opening try against Leeds, while Aaron Mauger played no part in Leicester's defeat by London Irish - apparently a victim of Marcelo Loffreda's rotation policy.

As the winter sales wind down on the British High Streets, Premiership clubs are getting their cheque books ready in a bid to lure top-class players for next season.

Nick Evans is again a target, with Bristol the latest club - joining Ulster, Leicester, Harlequins and Gloucester - to be linked with the All Blacks first five.

London Wasps are named as having a strong interest in Isa Nacewa, while Greg Sommerville is reported as having a desire for a spell in the northern hemisphere.