Wilkinson thrilled to begin new England era

Jonny Wilkinson will not look back in anger when the injury-ravaged flyhalf pulls on an England shirt for the first time in more than three years on Saturday.

Wilkinson's return for the Six Nations opener against Scotland at Twickenham will be a poignant moment for a player who has spent more time on the treatment table than a rugby pitch since drop-kicking the winning goal in the 2003 World Cup final.

"It has been an amazing couple of days. It's great to be back, great to have that feeling of being right back in it," Wilkinson wrote in his column in The Times yesterday.

"I'm loving the atmosphere and the environment and being part of a professional set-up."

Wilkinson's succession of injuries, ranging from major hernia surgery to damaged knee ligaments and a lacerated kidney, have forced him to endure lengthy rehabilitation periods but for all the knocks, the 27-year-old is ready to begin a new journey.

"It's obviously not one I'd ever have wanted to go down; getting through it was all about my desire," he said.

Wilkinson, whose comeback marks new coach Brian Ashton's first game in charge since replacing Andy Robinson, has missed 30 tests.