England’s Rugby World Cup hero Jonny Wilkinson was surprised at being named in his country’s Six Nations training squad but warned his latest injury would likely rule him out of immediate selection.
Wilkinson also predicted that England would thrive under new captain Phil Vickery and said recalled utility back Jason Robinson still had much to offer.
”To be honest, it was a surprise for me to get called back to the England squad,” Wilkinson said in his column in the Times newspaper, claiming he didn’t even know new coach Brian Ashton was to announce the 33-man squad on Tuesday.
”I am just busy seeing to the process of achieving fitness again, so it came out of nowhere to hear that I was in Brian’s plans.
”I think he’s been very kind to name me in this squad and I also believe he understands that I’m a work in progress and unlikely to warrant selection for the start of the Six Nations campaign on February 3.”
Wilkinson, who has yet to resume contact training with Newcastle since suffering a lacerated kidney on November 3 against Bristol, said his comeback might be in one of Newcastle’s two upcoming European Challenge games — Padova and Brive on January 12 and 20 respectively.
But he admitted it might well be against Leicester a week later or even possibly league leaders Bristol on February 18.
”I actually feel fine and ready to go, but my kidney injury is a bit of a strange one and the issue here is the amount of precaution required before letting me loose completely.
”Who knows, maybe one day I will get to move that next step up the ladder and play for England again,” said Wilkinson, who has not played for his country since landing the match-winning drop-goal in the 2003 World Cup final.
He discounted age as a hindrance given Ashton’s selection of Jason Robinson and Mike Catt.
”It may seem strange to say, given all that Jason has achieved, but I believe he still has a large amount of talent that we haven’t yet seen.
”Every team has to strike a balance between youth and experience.
”I can envisage an England squad thriving under the leadership of Phil Vickery, too.
”Phil has a real aura about him; he is the kind of leader who requires few words but will nevertheless carry people with him.
”And he is a beacon of hope for me — after all those injuries, he is back where he wants to be. How I would love to follow him.”
After kicking off their Six Nations campaign against Scotland on February 3, England travel to Italy a week later, and face a tough away trip to Ireland on February 24 before hosting France on March 11 and rounding off with a trip to Wales six days later. — AFP
