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Rugby - The return of Jonny Wilkinson has had a spectacular affect on England's fortunes on and off the field and helped apply a temporary band aid over the cataclysmic gaping wound that was England's dismal performance against Italy. Jonny Fever ensured that England's clash with Italy drew an 82,000 sell-out crowd, who went home confused and possibly dehydrated after a string performance in the bar but a lacklustre performance from the team in which the Italians looked like they knew what they were doing for once. This sudden change in the Italian approach caused complete chaos in the English ranks as the Italians moved the ball about the place like Italian versions of Spanish matadors. But that's not important. What is important is that, since new boss Brian Ashton recalled Wilkinson to his squad, Twickenham merchandising sales have jumped by 33 per cent on the same period last year. Twickenham chiefs were so worried they would not be able to sell this afternoon's game that they took the rare step of releasing tickets on to the open market, many tickets coming with the added bonus of a free instant barbecue for the traditional pre-match carpark barbecue feast. England had been booed off Twickenham in two of their previous three matches and RFU chief executive Francis Baron admitted the team's woeful form would cost the Union millions. Within the space of a fortnight the mood has completely changed. Last week's Calcutta Cup clash grossed £7million - the biggest payday in Six Nation history. Nice.

isporty wants to know what you think about England's sudden improvement in the merchandise area? Comments below.