All eyes on comeback kid Wilkinson in Galway

NEWCASTLE have confirmed that England World Cup hero Jonny Wilkinson will make his long-awaited comeback from injury in a pre-season friendly against Connacht in Galway today (6.15pm).

It will be 25-year-old Wilkinson’s first match since he injured his neck on December 28. England’s record points-scorer suffered a so-called “stinger” injury, which also affected his shoulder and arm and required surgery in February.

Falcons director of rugby Rob Andrew is pleased to have him back.

Andrew said: “We’re delighted to have Jonny back in the side, and he has stood up well in training, so we’re confident he will be fine.”

England have sorely missed Wilkinson, winning just three out of eight tests without him since his extra-time drop goal against Australia in the World Cup final last November.

Wilkinson was sidelined for England’s entire 2004 Six Nations campaign, when they finished a lowly third, and the three summer tests when they were beaten twice by New Zealand and once by Australia.

Wilkinson will now hope to be fit for the start of Newcastle’s Zurich Premiership campaign at newly-promoted Worcester on September 5.

The Falcons have further warm-up games against Munster and Pertemps Bees before the season begins.

Today’s game will also see the Falcons debut of Colin Charvis after his move from French club Tarbes.

Andrew said: “We’re over here in Ireland for a week-long camp, with the intention of hitting the ground running when the season starts.

“We’re looking for sharpness from the boys in everything they do, and if the last five-and-a-half weeks of training are anything to go by, we should be in for an exciting season.”

Meanwhile, Munster will unveil a new-look pack against London Irish at Thomond Park this evening (7pm).

While most of the players have already worn the Munster jersey, Mike Storey is a newcomer and Trevor Hogan and Tom Hayes are the new kids on the block.

Munster coach Alan Gaffney is, however, confident that Munster can put up a good show and secure a victory over the visitors, who are almost certain to be at full strength.

Gaffney points to full-back Christian Cullen who, after his slow introduction to Irish rugby, has had the benefit of a first pre-season non-match stint for nine years.

Cullen is ready for road and will be joined by a group of very experienced compatriots.

Munster will not have the bulk of its senior squad, who are committed to national duties and will not be available until the fourth competitive match of the season - the Celtic League tie with Llanelli at Thomond Park on October 3 - but Gaffney is happy enough to have the chance to experiment in the meantime.

MUNSTER: C. Cullen, M. Lawlor, M. Mullins, J. Holland, A. Horgan, P. Burke, E. Reddan, G. McIlwham, J. Flannery, M. Storey, T. Hogan, T. Hayes, S. Keogh, J. Williams (captain), D. Leamy. Reserves from J. Storey, R. Henderson, M. Prendergast, F. Murphy, B. Tuohy, B. Murphy, M. McPhail, D. Ryan, J. O’Connor, E. McGovern.