Wilkinson confirms he will miss start of Six Nations

England flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson confirmed yesterday he would miss the start of the Six Nations championship after injuring a knee ligament playing for his club Newcastle in a Heineken Cup match on Saturday.

"Obviously I know what that means regarding the Six Nations and it's a nightmare that I'll be unavailable for a part of it," Wilkinson wrote in his weekly column in The Times.

"However, I won't put a date on when I might be back. I've guessed too much with injuries and possible comeback dates in the past and got it wrong."

Newcastle director of rugby Rob Andrew said on Sunday the injury would need a minimum of four to six weeks rehabilitation.

England meet Wales in Cardiff on February 5 followed by 2004 champions France at Twickenham eight days later.

Wilkinson, who kicked the winning drop kick in the 2003 World Cup final against Australia, missed last year's Six Nations championship after a shoulder operation.

He returned to action for Newcastle at the start of the English season and was named as the new England captain by coach Andy Robinson but then missed the November internationals after injuring his arm.