By Mally (22/05/03)
November 27 2003

Should Jonny Wilkinson tour this summer, should Woodward rest him and try out his other fly half options? Of all the issues surrounding England's World Cup warm up campaign, the question of what to do at fly half is still unresolved. Wilkinson is without doubt the first choice number 10, but who should be taken along as back up? With Charlie Hodgeson out injured there is no obvious back up at fly half. Dave Walder only made it back onto the pitch at the tail end of the season after breaking his leg and has quickly returned to the England fold, having been picked to play against the Barbarians this weekend. The other strong contenders being Paul Grayson and Alex King, with Grayson is currently injured.

With such an important position to be filled and bearing in mind 'That Shoulder' surely Woodward should rest Wilkinson and try out all his other options during all of England's warm up matches?

Well Woodward thinks otherwise. Having had some scans to check on his dodgy shoulder, Wilkinson is going on the summer tour and will face the All Blacks in Wellington on June 14th.

Quoted in the The Guardian the England coach said:

"I've spoken to Jonny and he's fit. The scans were just precautionary, he's in great condition and he's looking forward to the trip. Are we saying he shouldn't have another game of rugby until October? That's ridiculous. Unless we get unlucky with injuries in the next couple of weeks, I fully intend to take the strongest possible squad."

In his BBC columns Wilkinson has described the prospect of facing New Zealand and Australia away from Twickenham as "tantalising" and regards them as an important part of the World Cup preparation.

"The games will be important to see where we stand so we have to give them our best shot. It will be an interesting tour, that's for sure and with such a massive tournament just a couple of months away, no-one is going to want to lose."

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