Jonny Wilkinson is doing what Jonny Wilkinson does best. Surrounded by a swarm of local kids, some barely knee-high in height, the World Cup winner is bringing order to chaos. He’s got two on either side of him, hands locked together, gently guiding them this way and that as they attempt to round up the loose players buzzing around like flies. The more they catch, the longer the line gets.

Nearby is Lawrence Dallaglio. His approach is less calm and composed. A bull in a china shop, he’s practically dragging his team mates forward with him as he goes. He’s roaring at the same time, eyes wide as saucers. For those children hanging off his arms, the fear of god in their hearts, this is the safest place to be as he charges around the pitch.

In this leafy corner of Tokyo, away from the neon shimmer of the city’s pulsing centre, with its scrambled intersections and endless flow of people, it’s hard to resist the nostalgia – especially on a week like this. As the nation looks forward to Saturday night and the promises of new glory, Wilkinson and Dallaglio remain tangible links to the past, to an age when England ruled the world.

The context might be a little bit different this time – the two men are introducing young Japanese children to the basics of rugby as part of the tournament’s legacy initiatives – but that doesn’t stop the sights and sounds from 16 years ago popping up in the mind’s eye.

As for that winning moment in Sydney, you can still see it as clear as day. The initial snipe and break from Matt Dawson to take play into Australia’s 22. The recycle, the pass out to Wilkinson, then the long pause in time and space that followed as the ball sailed majestically through the posts. “Just relief,” Martin Johnson would say a few years later. “Honestly sheer relief. You’d have never forgiven yourself for losing that match because it was there for us to win.”

England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures Show all 100 1 /100 England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final General view of the action during the 2019 Rugby World Cup Semi Final match at International Stadium Yokohama. PA Photo. Picture date: Saturday October 26, 2019. See PA story RUGBYU England. Photo credit should read: Adam Davy/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Editorial use only. Strictly no commercial use or association. Still image use only. 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REUTERS/Matthew Childs MATTHEW CHILDS REUTERS England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final YOKOHAMA, JAPAN - OCTOBER 26: Owen Farrell of England and Kieran Read of New Zealand shake hands after the Rugby World Cup 2019 Semi-Final match between England and New Zealand at International Stadium Yokohama on October 26, 2019 in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) Shaun Botterill Getty Images England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final New Zealand players appear dejected during the 2019 Rugby World Cup Semi Final match at International Stadium Yokohama. PA Photo. Picture date: Saturday October 26, 2019. See PA story RUGBYU England. Photo credit should read: Adam Davy/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Editorial use only. Strictly no commercial use or association. Still image use only. 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(AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko) Eugene Hoshiko AP England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final Rugby Union - Rugby World Cup - Semi Final - England v New Zealand - International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama, Japan - October 26, 2019. England team huddle after the match. REUTERS/Issei Kato ISSEI KATO REUTERS England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final New Zealand players gather on the field after the Rugby World Cup semifinal at International Yokohama Stadium between New Zealand and England in Yokohama, Japan, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019. England won 19-7. (AP Photo/Mark Baker) Mark Baker AP England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final Rugby Union - Rugby World Cup - Semi Final - England v New Zealand - International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama, Japan - October 26, 2019. England fans celebrate after the match. REUTERS/Issei Kato ISSEI KATO REUTERS England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final YOKOHAMA, JAPAN - OCTOBER 26: Owen Farrell of England shakes hands with Referee Nigel Owens after the Rugby World Cup 2019 Semi-Final match between England and New Zealand at International Stadium Yokohama on October 26, 2019 in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) Shaun Botterill Getty Images England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final New Zealand's players react after losing the Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup semi-final match between England and New Zealand at the International Stadium Yokohama in Yokohama on October 26, 2019. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP) (Photo by ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP via Getty Images) ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT AFP via Getty Images England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final YOKOHAMA, JAPAN - OCTOBER 26: Kieran Read of New Zealand shakes hands with Owen Farrell of England after the Rugby World Cup 2019 Semi-Final match between England and New Zealand at International Stadium Yokohama on October 26, 2019 in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images) Michael Steele Getty Images England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final England players react after winning over New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semifinal at International Yokohama Stadium in Yokohama, Japan, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko) Eugene Hoshiko AP England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final New Zealand players, front, kneel after full time is called in the Rugby World Cup semifinal at International Yokohama Stadium between New Zealand and England in Yokohama, Japan, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) Aaron Favila AP England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final The New Zealand team bow to the crowd after their loss in their Rugby World Cup semifinal at International Yokohama Stadium against England in Yokohama, Japan, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) Aaron Favila AP England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final New Zealand's centre Sonny Bill Williams (L) prays with New Zealand's prop Ofa Tuungafasi after losing the Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup semi-final match between England and New Zealand at the International Stadium Yokohama in Yokohama on October 26, 2019. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP) (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images) CHARLY TRIBALLEAU AFP via Getty Images England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final New Zealand players react after their 19-7 loss to England in the Rugby World Cup semifinal at International Yokohama Stadium in Yokohama, Japan, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko) Eugene Hoshiko AP England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final New Zealand's players react after losing the Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup semi-final match between England and New Zealand at the International Stadium Yokohama in Yokohama on October 26, 2019. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP) (Photo by ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP via Getty Images) ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT AFP via Getty Images England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final Rugby Union - Rugby World Cup - Semi Final - England v New Zealand - International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama, Japan - October 26, 2019. England's Willi Heinz, Sam Underhill and team mates applaud fans after the match. REUTERS/Issei Kato ISSEI KATO REUTERS England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final Rugby Union - Rugby World Cup - Semi Final - England v New Zealand - International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama, Japan - October 26, 2019 New Zealand players bow to their fans after the match REUTERS/Issei Kato ISSEI KATO REUTERS England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final epa07950538 New Zealand players Ofa Tu'ungafasi (C) and Jordie Barrett (L) react after losing the Rugby World Cup 2019 semi final match between New Zealand and England at the International Stadium Yokohama in Yokohama City, Japan, 26 October 2019. EPA/MARK R. CRISTINO EDITORIAL USE ONLY/ NO COMMERCIAL SALES / NOT USED IN ASSOCATION WITH ANY COMMERCIAL ENTITY MARK R. CRISTINO EPA England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final Rugby Union - Rugby World Cup - Semi Final - England v New Zealand - International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama, Japan - October 26, 2019 New Zealand players applaud their fans after the match REUTERS/Issei Kato ISSEI KATO REUTERS England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final Rugby Union - Rugby World Cup - Semi Final - England v New Zealand - International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama, Japan - October 26, 2019. England's George Ford and team mates applaud fans after the match. REUTERS/Issei Kato ISSEI KATO REUTERS England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final New Zealand players appear dejected during the 2019 Rugby World Cup Semi Final match at International Stadium Yokohama. PA Photo. Picture date: Saturday October 26, 2019. See PA story RUGBYU England. Photo credit should read: Adam Davy/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Editorial use only. Strictly no commercial use or association. Still image use only. Use implies acceptance of RWC 2019 T&Cs (in particular Section 5 of RWC 2019 T&Cs) at URL: bit.ly/2knOId6 Adam Davy PA England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final YOKOHAMA, JAPAN - OCTOBER 26: Coach Steve Hansen of New Zealand consoles Dane Coles during the Rugby World Cup 2019 Semi-Final match between England and New Zealand at International Stadium Yokohama on October 26, 2019 in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) Stu Forster Getty Images England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final New Zealand's Ardie Savea reacts after the Rugby World Cup semifinal at International Yokohama Stadium between New Zealand and England in Yokohama, Japan, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019. England won 19-7. (AP Photo/Mark Baker) Mark Baker AP England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final YOKOHAMA, JAPAN - OCTOBER 26: Courtney Lawes and Sam Underhill of England following their sides victory after the Rugby World Cup 2019 Semi-Final match between England and New Zealand at International Stadium Yokohama on October 26, 2019 in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images) Michael Steele Getty Images England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final epa07950544 New Zealand players react after losing the Rugby World Cup 2019 semi final match between New Zealand and England at the International Stadium Yokohama in Yokohama City, Japan, 26 October 2019. EPA/MARK R. CRISTINO EDITORIAL USE ONLY/ NO COMMERCIAL SALES / NOT USED IN ASSOCATION WITH ANY COMMERCIAL ENTITY MARK R. CRISTINO EPA England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final England's lock Courtney Lawes (L) and England's flanker Sam Underhill celebrate after the Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup semi-final match between England and New Zealand at the International Stadium Yokohama in Yokohama on October 26, 2019. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP) (Photo by ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP via Getty Images) ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT AFP via Getty Images England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final England's flanker Tom Curry (L) and England's number 8 Billy Vunipola (R) celebrate after winning the Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup semi-final match between England and New Zealand at the International Stadium Yokohama in Yokohama on October 26, 2019. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP) (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images) CHARLY TRIBALLEAU AFP via Getty Images England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final England's scrum-half Ben Youngs celebrates after winning the Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup semi-final match between England and New Zealand at the International Stadium Yokohama in Yokohama on October 26, 2019. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP) (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images) CHARLY TRIBALLEAU AFP via Getty Images England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final New Zealand's head coach Steve Hansen walks on the pitch after losing the Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup semi-final match between England and New Zealand at the International Stadium Yokohama in Yokohama on October 26, 2019. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP) (Photo by ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP via Getty Images) ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT AFP via Getty Images England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final England's Mark Wilson celebrates after the Rugby World Cup semifinal at International Yokohama Stadium between New Zealand and England in Yokohama, Japan, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019. England won 19-7. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena) Christophe Ena AP England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final YOKOHAMA, JAPAN - OCTOBER 26: New Zealand players look on in disappointment after the Rugby World Cup 2019 Semi-Final match between England and New Zealand at International Stadium Yokohama on October 26, 2019 in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) Shaun Botterill Getty Images England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final epa07950547 England's Billy Vunipola (C) shakes hands with New Zealand players Ofa Tu'ungafasi (R) and Jordie Barrett (L) after the Rugby World Cup 2019 semi final match between New Zealand and England at the International Stadium Yokohama in Yokohama City, Japan, 26 October 2019. EPA/MARK R. CRISTINO EDITORIAL USE ONLY/ NO COMMERCIAL SALES / NOT USED IN ASSOCATION WITH ANY COMMERCIAL ENTITY MARK R. CRISTINO EPA England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final New Zealand players gather on the field after the Rugby World Cup semifinal at International Yokohama Stadium between New Zealand and England in Yokohama, Japan, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019. England won 19-7. (AP Photo/Mark Baker) Mark Baker AP England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final New Zealand players bow to fans after the Rugby World Cup semifinal loss to England at International Yokohama Stadium in Yokohama, Japan, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko) Eugene Hoshiko AP

But for all the talk of building on this legacy, of adding another layer to the sporting palimpsest, there’s no doubt that today’s England team are on their “own journey of discovery” – as Dallaglio puts it. And for Wilkinson, the comparisons stop beyond the jersey.

“It’s not my era and it’s important to establish that rugby has moved on,” he says. “It’s like comparing us to the mid-90s and it’s always going to look different, rightly so.” Still, that won’t stop him from singing the praises of Eddie Jones’ men, drawing particular attention to last weekend’s 19-7 semi-final win over New Zealand – a performance that some are describing as the most complete English display ever.

Wilkinson talks eagerly and quickly about it, about “the energy at the top end”, of the “relentless, on-the-edge” nature of the performance, of the “clarity of the decision-making”. It’s safe to say he was left impressed by what he saw. “I can imagine they didn’t even want to know they had won it at the end,” he says. “You want to be in that battle. I think there was a brilliant completeness around that, technically outstanding.

“Every player dominated his area of the game in terms of what he’s supposed to do. And therefore you add that together and you get a machine that looks very well-oiled. Then you’ve got the ability to respond that they had, when they saw opportunities and they just went. It was inspired.”

The challenge now is recreating that magic to consign South Africa to a similar fate – something which Wilkinson urges England against getting too hung up on.

“The problem is if you start comparing this performance to the last one, you are adding a known in there and think, ‘This is what we’ve got to do, this is where we’ve got to play, we’ve got to get this week to be like last week.’ And it just completely shuts off the potential for a similar performance, which is what you want. Go out, start again.

“That game looked for me like a one-off. This game also has to be a one-off. And I think the coaches are great at creating an environment where the players feel fresh, renewed, still connected to their learnings, but not just weighed down by them.”

But with six days between the win over New Zealand and Saturday’s showcase, the challenge facing Jones’ player is as psychological as it is physical. The hours will drag, stretched out under the dizzying anticipation of what is to come. With immortality within reaching distance, the danger lies in looking beyond the 80 minutes and envisioning life as a World Cup winner.

Jonny Wilkinson's drop-kick secured World Cup glory for England 16 years ago in Sydney (AFP/Getty Images)

“You just start to get ahead of yourself and start to think what it would be like at the end,” Wilkinson adds. “If you start thinking this is the end of a long journey, it just gets slower and slower.

“All I can say from my experience is that when you get to the end, you would swap it in a heartbeat to go back into the middle of the performance that led to it. When you are walking around with the cup, you think everything is great. But it doesn’t add up to being in the middle of the action, which is where it counts.”

As for what England can expect against the Springboks, Wilkinson points to the children behind him. “[South Africa] make you feel like there are 20 of them,” he says, smiling at the same time.

“They are a very smothering team, really get around you and make you think the pitch is tiny. And they are enormously explosive. Which means that very, very small moments can turn into big moments. A little dropped ball here, you get caught behind the gain line, a big hit, and all of a sudden, within two seconds they have piled over the ruck, got the ball, they are 50-60 meters downfield.

“And they can dominate a momentum change like that. It’s important England manage those moments, but at the same time you don’t want to get into an arm-wrestle with these guys like Wales did. It’s very difficult when you are in a tight game to branch out and start getting into a wider game. When you are in a wider game, you can always bring it in.”

Eddie Jones' men have the chance to make history in Japan this weekend (PA)

But for all the scrutiny and introspection that accompanies a week like this, as questions are raised of tactics and selection choices, with past performances and meetings re-examined, and former players asked for their twopence, Wilkinson insists England’s history-chasers should take a moment to pause and reflect on the moment, to embrace the journey of where they’ve been and where they’re headed.

“You are so close to arriving, you want to arrive but the last thing you ever want to do in life is arrive,” he says, “and I think these guys are on their way somewhere.”