Wilkinson set to to miss Six Nations openers

LONDON - England first five-eighth Jonny Wilkinson is likely to miss England's opening two Six Nations rugby championship games after suffering knee ligament damage in a Heineken Cup match yesterday.

England's first Six Nations game is in Wales on February 5, followed by France at Twickenham eight days later. They then play Ireland in Dublin on February 27.

"It's very doubtful for February 5," Newcastle director of rugby Rob Andrew said.

"It is a medial ligament problem. It is a fairly common injury in the game and most medics would say it needs a minimum of four to six weeks' rehabilitation."

Even if Wilkinson returns to action in time to be considered for selection, his lack of playing time could still rule him out of the entire tournament.

After kicking the winning drop goal in the 2003 World Cup final against Australia -- his last test appearance -- Wilkinson was out of action for eight months following surgery on a trapped nerve in his shoulder.

He had barely returned to action when a deeply bruised bicep sidelined him for another eight weeks, forcing him out of last November's internationals a few weeks after being named captain by new England coach Andy Robinson.

Wilkinson played a handful of games for Newcastle after recovering before suffering his latest setback when he got caught in a ruck late in Saturday's 12-33 defeat by Perpignan.

- REUTERS