Wilkinson: 'I'm fit to face Samoa'

Updated 16.04 Mon Sep 17 2007
Keywords: Jonny Wilkinson, England, World Cup, rugby, sport

Jonny Wilkinson says he will be fit for Saturday's must-win World Cup Pool A clash with Samoa in Nantes.

The injury-jinxed fly-half has missed the ailing world champions' opening two matches against the USA and South Africa.

"I'm fit now. So I am, as we stand, now available for selection" - Jonny Wilkinson

But he believes he is over his ankle problem and said in his newspaper column: "I'm fit now. So I am, as we stand, now available for selection."

He added: "Kicking-wise I've been working mostly on my left foot but I fully expect to be working on my right foot this week."

Olly Barkley, who put on a man-of-the-match display as England beat the USA 28-10 in the opening game of their defence of the Webb Ellis Trophy, is expected to return too after missing last Friday's 36-0 mauling at the hands of the Springboks.

With Jamie Noon ruled out of the rest of the tournament by a knee ligament injury, his Newcastle team-mate Toby Flood has been called up after inspiring the Falcons to an impressive 33-12 win over Sale on the opening weekend of Guinness Premiership.

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