Rugby Union: Newcastle Deny Resting Wilkinson

Newcastle director of rugby John Fletcher has reacted angrily to claims Jonny Wilkinson is being "rested" for the Falcons' Guinness Premiership clash at Bristol.

Fletcher revealed on Tuesday that Wilkinson would miss the game, shortly after England head coach Brian Ashton had taken the unprecedented step of announcing his England team for next Saturday's Six Nations clash with Ireland nearly two weeks early.

It was widely assumed that Newcastle had acted in response to Ashton's announcement, but Fletcher was adamant today that England's considerations had no bearing on his decision.

"I thought the statement we put out on Tuesday was pretty clear, but it seems to have been misinterpreted by a lot of people," said Fletcher. "Nowhere in the statement did it say Jonny was being rested, and nowhere in the statement did it say the decision was made in consultation with England. It was a joint decision made between myself, Jonny and our medical team.

"The decision was that Jonny is not fit to play. He hasn't trained with the team this week. He is carrying bumps, bruises and strains after two massive [Six Nations] games, and the decision was that he was not ready for selection. That is the reason he hasn't been picked. Had he been available, he would have been involved, it is as straightforward as that. I have not had a conversation with England, other than to tell them what decision we had reached as a club."