ST GEORGE'S DAY: The English are keener than ever to celebrate St George's Day according to a new survey published today.

Conducted by the NOP, the poll found that nearly 50 per cent of people think we increasingly want to celebrate our national day.

The research, commissioned by the English Beef and Lamb Executive also revealed that England's recent rugby triumph is one of the main reasons for this growing enthusiasm, with 74 per cent of people believing we've become more patriotic as a result.

The survey found the majority of people think that England rugby hero, Jonny Wilkinson, is our modern day St George with 19 per cent preferring to share their St George's Day with him over the likes of David Beckham (12 per cent), or Robbie Williams (11 per cent).