 Wilkinson went down in agony after missing a penalty kick |
Fly-half Jonny Wilkinson has been cleared for England's summer tour to Australia and New Zealand. Wilkinson hobbled out of Toulon's Amlin Challenge Cup final defeat by Cardiff Blues with a suspected back spasm amid fears he may have broken a rib. However a scan revealed the 30-year-old has not broken a bone, but he has got bruising and has been advised by Toulon to avoid contact work for two weeks. England play their first Test against Australia on 12 June. Wilkinson thought he had suffered a back problem, which was aggravated further by his attempt to land a penalty in the 46th minute. "I'm not sure if it's a cracked rib," said Wilkinson following the 28-21 defeat in Marseille's Stade Velodrome. "It feels like a bit of a back strain."  | 606: DEBATE |
Further tests from Toulon revealed bruising at the bottom of his rib cage, with the French club insisting the World Cup winner takes no part in physical work for the time being. "Jonny Wilkinson will have to observe at least two weeks without contact and should be able to play in England's first Test against Australia on June 12 in Perth," read a Toulon statement. Toulon have stressed that no risks be taken with Wilkinson, who is set to be examined by England's medical staff when he joins the squad on Saturday. Wilkinson's expected two-week recuperation will rule him out of England's match against the Barbarians at Twickenham on Sunday 30 May. But he could be in line for England's first tour match against the Australian Barbarians in Perth on 8 June before the first of two Tests against the Wallabies. Martin Johnson's squad depart for their five-match tour down under on 31 May.
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