Wilko ready to direct traffic in Cardiff

Newcastle Falcons coach Rob Andrew is confident that Jonny Wilkinson will be fit to play for in England's opening RBS Six Nations Championship game next month, and believes that the star fly-half will be wearing the lillywhite No.10 jersey in Cardiff on February 5.

Andrew gave Wilkinson his backing after the Falcons skipper scored an injury-time try in Sunday's 30-29 Zurich Premiership win over Sale at Kingston Park.

Wilkinson's 84th minute try and conversion gave the Falcons the win and overshadowed a superb kicking display by Wilkinson's England understudy Charlie Hodgson who landed five penalties and converted two tries from Jason Robinson.

Hodgson turned in a superb display, setting up Robinson's second try, but Wilkinson showed enough on his first full start since he was sidelined with a bruised bicep to suggest that his rehabilitation is complete.

He missed just one kick at goal from halfway but slotted two touchline conversions and also landed three penalties as well as converting his own winning try in stoppage time.

"Charlie Hodgson is a very, very good player. Jonny Wilkinson is a great player, it's as simple as that," said Andrew.

"Jonny has hardly played any rugby for 12 months and I've been very surprised at some of the judgements some people have made given the length of time he's been out - some of those judgements have been way off the mark.

"You can't expect him to simply pick up where he left off in the World Cup. It's absurd to expect that.

"We knew it would take him time to get back and we have eased him back into action.

"I have always felt that the three matches against Sale, Perpignan and Newport would be sufficient preparation for Jonny to play against Wales on February 5."

Wilkinson will not wear the number 12 shirt for Newcastle despite suggestions England coach Andy Robinson could play him in the centre, with Hodgson at fly-half.

"As long as I'm in charge of Newcastle he will always play 10," said Andrew.

"Jonny has had a terrible 12 months and this game has a habit of throwing up incidents like that winning try - you tend to get out of this game what you put in and the harder you work then the luckier you get, and that applies to Jonny Wilkinson."