Rugby News: England World Cup hero Jonny Wilkinson will make his comeback in Newcastle Falcons' Zurich Premiership match against Northampton Saints at Kingston Park tomorrow.

Wilkinson has been out of action with a fractured shoulder since the World Cup.

Falcons director of rugby Rob Andrew was confident the outhalf had made good enough progress to be able to play this weekend and he was proved correct after Wilkinson came through a training session yesterday and was passed fit.

Wasps may be missing England centre Stuart Abbott for their crunch derby showdown against London Irish but with Fraser Waters, Ayoola Erinle and Mark Denney all accomplished centres, coach Warren Gatland still has the midfield fire-power to overcome an Exiles side trailing Wasps by a point in the table.

Irish did not lose any player to the World Cup and they became one of the early season pace-setters, climbing to third place.

But Wasps, buoyed by the return of their England contingent from Down Under, are in ominous form and Exiles coach Gary Gold believes they are determined to slash Bath's 10-point lead at the Premiership top with victory at the Madejski Stadium today.