Falcons’ fury at Wilko ‘rest’ claim

NEWCASTLE boss John Fletcher has angrily rejected any suggestion Jonny Wilkinson is being “rested” from Guinness Premiership action this weekend on England’s request.

Fletcher announced on Tuesday that Wilkinson, who will be on RBS 6 Nations duty in Ireland next week, would miss Newcastle’s clash with Bristol this Sunday.

The RFU hope the entire England starting line-up selected for Croke Park will not be involved in Premiership games this weekend.

But the clubs are under no obligation to rest players and Fletcher insists the only reason Wilkinson will miss the match is because he is not fit.

Fletcher said: “I thought the statement we put out on Tuesday was pretty clear, but it seems to have been misinterpreted by a lot of people. Nowhere in the statement did it say Jonny was being rested, and nowhere did it say the decision was made in consultation with England. It was a joint decision made between myself, Jonny and our medical team. The decision was that Jonny is not fit to play.

“He hasn’t trained with the team this week. He is carrying bumps, bruises and strains after two massive games, and the decision was that he was not ready for selection.

“That is the reason he hasn’t been picked. Had he been available, he would have been involved. I have not had a conversation with England, other than to tell them what decision we had reached as a club.”

Premier Rugby claimed England had resorted to “emotional blackmail” by naming their team to face Ireland six days ahead of schedule. They added decisions regarding the England players’ involvement this weekend would be taken on a case-by-case basis.

Newcastle have included England replacements Toby Flood and Mathew Tait in the team that will tackle Bristol at the Memorial Stadium.

Leicester’s Martin Corry, Harry Ellis, George Chuter and Louis Deacon will only be involved from the bench against Worcester tonight, if at all.

And Wasps director of rugby Ian McGeechan must decide how to employ Josh Lewsey, England captain prop Phil Vickery and flanker Joe Worsley against Sale on Sunday.

Sale have been hit horrendously with injuries and boss Philippe Saint-Andre indicated he may have to use Jason Robinson and Magnus Lund.

But there was some good news from the Edgeley Park treatment room, both for Sale and England, with the announcement Andrew Sheridan could make his return from a broken ankle this weekend.

Sheridan suffered the injury during the autumn Test victory over South Africa but is now back in full training.

Sale coach Kingsley Jones said: “He has done contact all week, and there is a possibility he might play at the weekend, but we will have to see how he is over Friday and Saturday. We don’t want to rush him back. His return has given the team a real boost, though.”

Sheridan’s England colleague Mark Cueto is expected to make his first Sale appearance following a two-month absence because of groin and calf muscle problems. The powerful wing featured in England Saxons’ impressive victory over Ireland A last Friday, and could yet mount a challenge to take part in the senior Six Nations campaign.

Saracens boss Alan Gaffney has included England centre Andy Farrell in the side to face Gloucester on Sunday.

The club have also picked Italy hooker Fabio Ongaro after he returned from Six Nations duty.

Gaffney said: “Andy Farrell and Fabio Ongaro come back into the side after international duty. We’ve managed our players this season to ensure they’ve not played too many games and both are happy to play this weekend.”