Wilkinson ‘fully fit and healthy’ for Boks test

JONNY WILKINSON has declared himself “fully fit and healthy” to spearhead depleted England’s first Test challenge against South Africa in Bloemfontein tomorrow.

And that will be music to the ears of head coach Brian Ashton, who has lost Harlequins wing David Strettle from his plans and must continue playing a waiting game regarding centre Andy Farrell.

Strettle is in hospital after being hit by the stomach virus that has affected a handful of England players, including Wilkinson.

While Wilkinson has returned to training after spending two days in bed earlier this week, Strettle’s tour could be over. Gloucester back Iain Balshaw will replace him and win his 30th cap, with the bench vacancy caused by his promotion being filled after England train at Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein today.

Wilkinson said: “I am okay. I had a couple of days in bed, and I am coming through the back end of it now. It should be perfect timing – I trained today. I have only really missed one training session, and I am fully fit and healthy.”

But Strettle, who shot to prominence during England’s RBS 6 Nations campaign earlier this season, has not been so lucky.

England team doctor Simon Kemp said: “David’s vomiting continued through yesterday, and he was unable to take fluids by month. He was therefore admitted to a local hospital for rehydration and monitoring, and while he has made good progress, he will not be fit to play on Saturday.”

England can now only hope Farrell makes it, and assistant coach Mike Ford added: “Andy is a tough guy. I think he will be there for us on the weekend.”

Wilkinson steered England to a famous victory over the Springboks in Bloemfontein seven years ago, kicking all their points for a 27-22 success, yet he is not into history lessons and distances himself from talk of South Africa wanting revenge for a 53-3 humiliation at Twickenham in 2002.

He added: “It is nice to go back to a place you have been before, but you quickly learn in this game that these are one-off moments.

“That occasion (Bloemfontein) took all 22 English players on the day and all their efforts to turn that game to what it was. It’s seven years on now, and two totally different sides.”

And as for England being written off, both this weekend and in Pretoria on Saturday week, Wilkinson said: “I don’t think I have ever gone into a game and thought about keeping the score down, to be fair.

“You go out there, you hit the first whistle and the first minute and react to whatever happens.

“I have been involved in games when we have been on the wrong end – Ireland, just recently, was one of those – but never once do you think about keeping the score down or you are going to lose before you start.’’