Head injury sidelines Wilkinson
January 9, 2002

Jonny Wilkinson will sit out Newcastle's final Heineken Cup group game at Newport on Friday due to a head injury he picked up against Leinster last night.

The England fly-half required 10 stitches after suffering a head wound during Falcons' 17-15 defeat against Leinster in Tuesday night's rearranged pool six clash.

Dave Walder is his likely replacement, with Michael Stephenson switching from wing to full-back and fit-again Liam Botham returning in the number 14 jersey.

Scrum-half Gary Armstrong, hooker Nick Makin and prop Marius Hurter are also probable starters.

Like Newcastle, Newport cannot reach the quarter-finals, and they give Shane Howarth an outing at full-back, enabling Matt Pini to take a breather.

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