Rugby Union: Wilkinson Picks Up Another Injury

Jonny Wilkinson’s ill-luck shows no sign of abating. The fly-half, who has not played since the middle of November, is ruled out of Newcastle’s Premiership game against Gloucester on Sunday despite a return to the bench last weekend. Medical examinations have found Wilkinson is suffering an acute injury to an adductor muscle follow a groin problem which required surgery.

Wilkinson’s former international half-back partner Kyran Bracken is set to retire at the end of another disappointing season for Saracens, who last week parted company with their coach Steve Diamond.

"In the last six or seven years, we have had six or seven coaches, with players also coming and going," Bracken told Sky Television’s Rugby Club last night. "I should feel a bit of sadness coming to the end of my career, but I feel relief. I do not think we have learned our lessons."

London Irish have signed Argentina center Gonzalo Tiesi. The 20-year-old joins from San Isidro on the recommendation of Les Cusworth, the former England fly-half.

Powergen have decided to end its sponsorship of both codes of rugby in order to concentrate solely on football.