Wilkinson suffers ligament sprain

England have announced that Jonny Wilkinson will receive intensive treatment over the next few days in his battle to recover from an ankle injury.

Wilkinson was hurt during a training session in Versailles yesterday, ruling him out of England’s World Cup opener against the USA in Lens on Saturday.

It was initially announced that Wilkinson had twisted his ankle, but that has now been confirmed as a ligament sprain.

The 2003 World Cup final match-winner underwent an x-ray and scan yesterday afternoon, and was comprehensively assessed by England’s medical staff this morning.

Wilkinson will now receive intensive treatment, although England say there will be no further update on him until next Tuesday.

England face their crucial pool clash against South Africa in Paris on Friday week, a game for which Wilkinson must now be rated extremely doubtful.

His place in the starting line-up against the USA will be taken by Bath’s Olly Barkley.