May 23 2007

Newcastle Falcons fly-half Jonny Wilkinson returned to training today with England while James Simpson-Daniel (Gloucester Rugby) and David Strettle (NEC Harlequins) sat out of the session with the same symptoms  Wilkinson and several other players have experienced on the tour.

The players have been briefly affected by a 'Norovirus'. The virus is not food related but affects the stomach, causing gastric pain over a 24-48 hour period.

England Doctor Simon Kemp said:  "The symptoms have affected a small number of the England squad to date. One of the positive features about this sort of viral infection is that it typically develops and settles relatively quickly."