Jonny Wilkinson regained his status as the leading Test points-scorer on Saturday but insists that the title does not mean much to him.
The veteran fly-half was called into action during England’s 17-9 win against France at Twickenham after Toby Flood limped off during the second half.
And with his first kick, Wilkinson slotted over a 46-metre penalty to move onto 1,190 points, one ahead of New Zealand’s Dan Carter.
Although he says he was aware of the situation when he was lining up the penalty, Wilkinson claims that the playing time was more valuable to him than the record.
“It is maybe the first time in my career I have been aware of the situation – and that was only because someone told me in the week,” he said.
“They told me Carter had taken the record and I said, ‘Brilliant, awesome for him’. And then someone said, ‘Actually, you are quite close to taking it back’.
Penalty
“I did wonder if I would get a penalty today if I came on – and it came up first thing.
“The record doesn’t mean that much to me, it is just nice to get straight into the game.”
The 31-year-old created two try-scoring opportunities after coming on, with Chris Ashton passing one up after an ill-advised pass and Mike Tindall denied the other after being whistled for a double movement.
Wilkinson added: “It was a good way to enter. When you come on you are searching for the feel of the game.
“It is very difficult to execute things when you haven’t got a feel of what is going on so you want anything that gets you involved.
“With a kick like that, you are then going back to receive the kick-off. It makes you feel like you are starting afresh.”
