England rugby star Jonny Wilkinson could be facing life on the sidelines again after twisting his knee in Newcastle’s dramatic victory over Worcester at Kingston Park on Friday.
Wilkinson was helped from the field early in the second half after being caught under a teammate at the bottom of a ruck.
Early assessments suggested he had suffered medial ligament damage and ahead of tests on Saturday Newcastle director of rugby John Fletcher said: ”It’s too early to tell how bad it is. He got a twist and a bang on the knee when one of our players fell on him in the ruck.
”It’s a big blow. He’s a world-class player in a key position.”
Wilkinson has suffered a catalogue of injuries since the 2003 World Cup — when he kicked the championship-winning drop goal which beat hosts Australia — including neck, bicep, knee ligament and groin problems.
He has not hurt the same knee he damaged twice before the 2005 Lions tour.
But even if it is not serious, the injury is a blow to Wilkinson’s hopes of a recall to the England squad for the autumn internationals.
Only this week England’s new director of elite rugby Rob Andrew warned those with international aspirations they must ”deliver in the next six or seven weeks the form you would expect to have to produce if you want to get picked to play for England.”
Without Wilkinson, Newcastle went on to complete a last-gasp 20-19 Premiership victory over the Warriors. – Sapa-AFP