Wilkinson cleared for new season

Newcastle Falcons have confirmed that their England and Lions' fly-half Jonny Wilkinson has been given the all-clear to take a full part in pre-season training, including contact work, which started today.

The 25-year-old has been sidelined since January with a persistent neck and shoulder injury which later required surgery.

His absence was a major blow to England as they struggled through the RBS Six Nations and were whitewashed on their June tour to New Zealand and Australia recently.

Meanwhile Newcastle are resting those players who have been on summer tours for a week to a fortnight whilst also missing from Falcon's pre-season training today were new signings Wallaby Matthew Burke and Samoa and Pacific Islander Semo Sititi who are still on international duty.

Newcastle open their 2004/05 Zurich Premiership campaign away to newly promoted Worcester Warriors on September 4.