Jonny Wilkinson’s advice will benefit Wallabies, say his former Toulon team-mates

Australia winger Drew Mitchell and utility back Matt Giteau have tapped into the experience of their former Toulon team-mate Jonny Wilkinson in their bid to win the Rugby World Cup.

Wilkinson kicked the drop-goal that won England the 2003 final against Australia in Sydney and he passed on his advice.

"We know Jonny reasonably well and he's been open about it, about how it was one of the best things, but also one of the most difficult things he has gone through with the fame and attention," Giteau said told a news conference in Bath.

"We have been able to speak to him about the good and bad side of it all."

Mitchell said it would be a great achievement to become the third Australian side to win the World Cup in England following the teams of 1991 and 1999.

"We want to achieve the ultimate, but there is a lot to go through, prepare and execute before that," Mitchell said.

The Australians begin their campaign against Fiji in Cardiff on Wednesday before playing Uruguay, England and Wales in a tough pool A.