'Wilkinson fit for England duty'

Updated 14.22 Mon Feb 19 2007
Keywords: Ireland, England, Six Nations Championship, rugby, Jonny Wilkinson, Croke Park, Twickenham

Jonny Wilkinson will be fit to line up for England against Ireland on Saturday after "bumps, bruises and strains" kept him out of Newcastle Falcons' 22-21 Guinness Premiership defeat at Bristol.

England head coach Brian Ashton and Rugby Football Union elite rugby director Rob Andrew had called for England's Croke Park line-up to be rested last weekend.

"Jonny is fine. He will be fine for England, so everyone can rest easy" - Newcastle rugby director John Fletcher

But while six players came under starter's orders, Ashton does not seem to have picked up any injury problems ahead of the historic RBS Six Nations Championship clash in Dublin.

Newcastle rugby director John Fletcher said: "Jonny is fine. He will be fine for England, so everyone can rest easy.

"He came back to us from two massive Test matches, and your body is going to be a bit sore after that, but he will be fine."

Olly Morgan, Josh Lewsey, Jason Robinson, Andy Farrell, Danny Grewcock and Magnus Lund all emerged unscathed having all played while flanker Joe Worsley did not feature as Wasps beat Sale 26-18.

Worsley missed England's win over Italy nine days ago because of a neck injury, but has dismissed any fears about his fitness.

He told reporters: "I haven't been able to do any contact work all week, so that is why I didn't start. I fancied a few minutes, but I've burnt myself in the past after being injured, so it was better to rest."

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