Woodward elated with Wilko return to England fold

ENGLAND head coach Clive Woodward is looking forward to welcoming Jonny Wilkinson back into the international fold after the fly-half emerged unscathed from his return to action in Galway.

Wilkinson made an uneventful 40-minute appearance as the Newcastle Falcons beat Connacht 32-9 on Tuesday in his first game since undergoing surgery for a career-threatening neck and shoulder injury.

It was the first match in a testing schedule as the England World Cup hero sets out on his comeback with two games in the next six days.

The 25-year-old will face Munster on Monday and Pertemps Bees the following Saturday before he hopes to make his Zurich Premiership return against Worcester on September 5.

Woodward insisted he had never had any doubts that Wilkinson would return after surgery and believes he will come back refreshed and rejuvenated after a period out of the game.

Woodward said: “I’m absolutely delighted he’s come through. There was never any doubt as far as I am concerned and I hope the rest has done him the world of good.

“I’m glad no one has rushed it. He’s had a long, long rest and that will be of benefit to him. We’re all looking forward to having him back for the autumn internationals.”

Woodward has organised a two-day England squad session on September 21-22 and expects Wilkinson to return to international action at the earliest opportunity.

The England international seems certain to feature in the first autumn fixture against Canada at Twickenham on November 13, as long as Wilkinson avoids any misfortune in the meantime.