By Leipziger
August 15 2007

As in 2003, the Falcons have three current players heading to the 2007 World Cup in France, with Jonny Wilkinson being joined in the England squad by Jamie Noon and Mathew Tait. Future Geordie Carl Hayman will play for New Zealand across the channel, whilst Toby Flood misses out and rejoins the club for the Premiership season as Brian Ashton opts for only two specialist fly-halves.  

All four of our England players were involved in the two warm-up internationals at Twickenham against Wales and France.  Wilkinson and Tait, a late replacement in the team for full-back Mark Cueto, played the full match against the Welsh with Jonny’s kick forward setting up Spud for a last-second try, his first in international rugby, whilst Flood had to be content with a short spell as a first-half temporary replacement for Andy Farrell.

 

Against France on Saturday, it was Noon’s turn to attempt to shine, and alongside Mike Catt he put in a commanding defensive display to book his place on the plane to France, whilst Wilkinson was brought on with minutes to go in an attempt to overturn France’s 15-21 lead, but it wasn’t to be.

 

Only Wilkinson is in the 22 for this Saturday’s return meeting with France in Marseille, with neither of his Newcastle team-mates having the chance to stake a claim for a starting place in the World Cup.  However, with matches against USA and Tonga in England’s group programme, it seems likely both will at least get on the field for some time over in France.

Many thanks to Tracywilko for these pics of Falcons players at Twickenham on Saturday, in England’s last home match before France 2007:

   

 

All photos as usual are copyright of Falconsrugby and the photographer.