Wilkinson in line for Falcons return

Jonny Wilkinson could make his first appearance since the World Cup final next weekend.

The England fly-half has been troubled by an ankle injury that meant he missed Newcastle’s last four games, and he also sits out tomorrow’s Guinness Premiership clash at Wasps.

Wilkinson though is on course to return when Falcons face the same opponents in an EDF Energy Cup pool decider next Saturday.

Newcastle rugby director John Fletcher said: “Jonny’s ankle has not settled down as much as we thought it would, so he has had an injection this week to get the inflammation down a bit.

“He was very close to playing this weekend, and he did most of our training throughout the week.

“But he will resume full training on Monday, and he will be in contention for selection for the following game.”

Despite Wilkinson’s absence, Newcastle boast a post-World Cup unbeaten record in domestic and European competitions, although that impressive run will be severely examined tomorrow.

Fletcher added: “It doesn’t get any tougher than playing away against the European champions twice in six days, so this will be a test of where we are as a squad right now.

“Wasps’ set-piece and ball-carrying will be key areas, but their main weapon is the pressure they put on you in defence.

“It will be a massive physical encounter, and we have to at least match them in that area, If we do that, then spaces will start to appear.

“They concede a lot of line breaks with the way they defend, but they scramble very well and try to smash you in all areas.

“Their rush defence makes you feel like you are under more pressure than you actually are, but we have to manage that, win collisions, keep the ball and go from there.”

The Falcons line-up this weekend includes 14 Englishmen, while Wasps have named three of their finest – Lawrence Dallaglio, Simon Shaw and Josh Lewsey – on the bench.

Wing Tom Voyce makes his 150th Premiership appearance, with Ireland scrum-half Eoin Reddan taking over captaincy duties.

Wasps rugby director Ian McGeechan said: “Tom has been a very consistent performer for the club, and he reflects the stability and continuity we like to maintain at Wasps.

“That sort of stability allows us to work at developing our players, particularly those who are English-qualified, on a long-term basis.”

London Irish, flying high in the Heineken Cup following successive bonus-point victories over Treviso and Newport-Gwent Dragons, tackle Saracens at Vicarage Road tomorrow.

Exiles boss Brian Smith has made one change after a 45-17 romp against the Dragons, handing number eight Phil Murphy a starting place instead of Juan Leguizamon.

Smith said: “Confidence is high among the squad as we return to the harsh reality of the Guinness Premiership.

“Under Alan Gaffney’s leadership, Saracens are playing an attacking style of rugby that is based on a strong, well-drilled pack which is capable of mixing it with any team in the league.

“It is going to be tough, but we have got a good record at Vicarage Road.”

Gaffney makes four changes from the side pipped by a last-gasp penalty in Biarritz last Saturday, calling up centre Adam Powell – Andy Farrell is rested - fly-half Gordon Ross, prop Cobus Visagie and flanker Paul Gustard.

Gaffney said: “We’ve made some changes for this game, but I have to stress that it is not a reflection of performances last weekend – far from it.

“I think anyone who has seen our two recent matches will know that Andy Farrell has turned in two very good performances, but the same could be said of Adam Powell when he was in the team during the World Cup period.”