Jonny Wilkinson a doubt for New Zealand international
One of the main reasons England head coach Martin Johnson wanted all 32 of his squad members in the training camp on Monday was to wrap them up in cotton wool ahead of his side’s first autumn international against New Zealand on November 6th.
However, Johnson has been dealt a blow with the news that fly-half Jonny Wilkinson sustained a shoulder injury in his last match with Top 14 side Toulon before joining up with his international colleagues.
The hero of England’s 2003 World Cup winning campaign will undergo a scan on his shoulder this morning to assess the extent of the damage – with Johnson waiting anxiously to discover whether the 31-year-old will be available for selection.
“Jonny Wilkinson was medically reviewed and has reported into the camp with soreness in his shoulder,” a Rugby Football Union spokesman confirmed. As a result, Sale Sharks fly-half Charlie Hodgson has been called up to the England training camp as cover, while Leicester’s Toby Flood is expected to get the nod at No. 10 if Wilkinson fails to recover.
Along with Wilkinson, lock Simon Shaw, prop David Wilson, centre Riki Flutey and flanker Henrie Fourie also suffered injuries at the weekend, leaving Johnson with several big decisions before England take on the All Blacks next month.
The recent batch of injuries has forced the England boss to call up uncapped Joe Marler, while Brad Barritt, Dan Ward-Smith and Tom Wood have also been drafted in as cover.
Following last year’s underwhelming series of autumn internationals, Johnson knows how imperative this year’s group of matches could prove with the World Cup now under a year away.
England play New Zealand a week on Saturday, before facing Australia, Samoa and South Africa before the end of next month.
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