Falcons wait on Wilkinson

Newcastle will not announce until an hour before kick-off whether or not Jonny Wilkinson will be involved against Zurich Premiership opponents Northampton tomorrow night.

Falcons rugby director Rob Andrew today confirmed his starting line-up, but not the replacements’ bench, where England captain Wilkinson could feature.

Wilkinson has been sidelined since mid-March after suffering his second knee injury of the season.

Earlier this week, he was omitted from Clive Woodward’s 44-man Lions squad, although he could still travel to New Zealand if he proves his fitness and match sharpness ahead of departure on May 25.

Fly-half Wilkinson has not played international rugby since his drop-goal gave England World Cup glory 17 months ago.

After tomorrow, Newcastle have only one league game left – against London Irish on April 30 – although they should make the Premiership wildcard play-offs in early May, while the Lions have a pre-tour game against Argentina in Cardiff on May 23.

Flanker Colin Charvis will skipper the Falcons at Northampton, while there are also starts for Wilkinson’s brother Mark in the fly-half position, prop Galo Alvarez Quinones, hooker Matt Thompson, scrum-half James Grindal and wing Michael Stephenson following last weekend’s home defeat against Worcester.