Rob Andrew says "NO" to Wilko downunder

May 1, 2006

From The Independent, via NZH:

Wilkinson should not tour down under, says Andrew

01.05.06 1.00pm
By David Llewellyn

England must be patient with Jonny Wilkinson and not select him too soon, or 18 months of hard work could come unravelled and leave the mercurial stand-off a mental as well as a physical wreck.

That was the stark warning from Rob Andrew, Newcastle's director of rugby, after Wilkinson produced a stunning all-round performance in the Falcons' defeat at Worcester on Saturday.

Andrew insisted that England should be looking at Wilkinson returning for the autumn internationals, rather than rushing him into the two-Test series against Australia in June.

He said: "This is not about the next two months. It is not about whether England are in a hole and they need him in the summer. It's about making sure we get this right, so that he is still playing rugby in five years' time." ...

Full story here.