World Cup winner Wilkinson’s shoulder operation went well in the week, and with no adverse reaction he is winding up to the mother of all rehab programmes.

A punishing schedule is nothing new for Jonny, but he is keen to ensure he is not playing catch-up once the new season starts.

Australian Super 14 franchise Western Force are the big draw so far as the Falcons finalise their pre-season calendar, heading to Kingston Park on August 8.The Falcons are planning another home warm-up match on the weekend of August 23, with details of these and away fixtures sure to be ironed out soon.

Wilkinson, would no doubt be keen to line up against the Aussie stars, and early indications are that he should be on course to do just that. With the floating debris successfully cleaned out of that troublesome shoulder, Wilkinson will surely have his fingers crossed he can start a season without anything niggling for once, and with Mathew Tait and Toby Flood off to Sale and Leicester, the Falcons management will be doing the same.#

So fingers crossed for Jonny to get well soon and poor Cipriani.