Wilkinson injured (updated)

Jonny Wilkinson twisted his ankle in training today and has been ruled out of England’s Rugby World Cup opener against the USA.

He will have a scan to determine the nature and extent of the injury.

1995 World Cup winner Joel Stransky was on hand to analyse the effect the injury may have on defending champions England.

“I don’t think it’s going to matter hugely in the game against America but in the build-up to the following week’s game (against South Africa) it does make a difference,” said Stransky.

“If Wilkinson’s carrying an injury and isn’t 100% there is a problem.

“The danger is that he isn’t 100% and if you go into a big game carrying an injury then you can come unstuck.

“It all depends how long-term it is. Going into a World Cup you want momentum, certainty and a team that is settled.

“But ultimately Jonny is good enough to slot in and continue where he left off in the last game he played, so if he is fit I don’t think it will make that big a difference.

“I think Jonny’s more important as an experienced player in the team, as a leader and a man who inspires those around him.

“When he plays the team has an extra level of composure,” said the World Cup-winning Bok flyhalf.

Former Scotland captain Gavin Hastings, who holds the record as the top World Cup point scorer, expressed his sympathy for the injured England star.

“I can’t see Wilkinson playing in another World Cup so you can only feel desperately sorry for the guy,” said Hastings.

“There’s obviously something in his make-up where he finds it difficult staying fit, so you just have to ask how long he can keep coming back from the injuries.

“I just want to see him keep playing. Everyone wants to see the best rugby players in the world playing in the World Cup,” concluded Hastings.

Update:

Simon Moyes, a leading orthopaedic surgeon, has revealed that England flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson could be out for six weeks after spraining the lateral ligament of his right ankle during training in Versailles on Tuesday.

“Jonny appears to be suffering from a right ankle lateral ligament sprain, and the MRI scan has excluded any other injury,” said the expert.

“He is likely to be undergoing Rice – Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation – and intensive physiotherapy on the full spectrum of these lateral ligaments.

“If we are praying, I can imagine he would be fit within three weeks, but it is more likely to be six weeks with an injury like this.

“Ninety per cent of patients make a full recovery, but there is always a risk of recurrent instability in the ankle,” concluded Moyes.

The England star has been replaced by Olly Barkley in the team to play Samoa and will almost certainly miss the important clash against South Africa next week.