Robinson queries Wilkinson choice

Wilkinson has recently recovered from a lacerated kidney

Former England coach Andy Robinson says he would not have played Jonny Wilkinson against Scotland on Saturday.

Brian Ashton, Robinson's successor as England coach, has picked Wilkinson to start at Twickenham after just 40 minutes of action in the last 12 weeks.

But Robinson said Wilkinson should be eased back into Test rugby, starting with a game for England's A side.

"Would I have played him this weekend? Probably not, if I'm honest," he wrote in his column for The Independent.

Interview: Former England coach Andy Robinson

Robinson, who was sacked in November after an unsuccessful spell at the helm, appointed Wilkinson as his captain back in 2004.

606 DEBATE: What do you think of Ashton's selection?

But a succession of injuries meant Wilkinson was never able to play under Robinson.

"I totally understand his selection, because he's a phenomenal professional," added Robinson.

"When you work with him in training, you quickly realise that in terms of personal preparation he is in a different class.

"He knows his body and he knows his mind and, believe me, he wouldn't have put himself forward for this match with Scotland if he didn't think he was up to it.

"But I see the Six Nations as a series of games and my concern has less to do with this fixture than with the Italy and Ireland matches on the horizon.

"Jonny will get himself up for this one - the adrenalin will be flooding through him. But can a player with so little competitive rugby in the bank get up a second and a third time, just like that? I wonder.

I was struck by the warrior spirit running through the line-up Former England coach Andy Robinson

"To my mind, we need Jonny firing fully for the trip to Dublin later this month.

"That is why I would have gone for the step-by-step approach and picked him for Friday's A (Saxons) international, not the full international."

Despite his misgivings over the selection of Wilkinson, Robinson said he was excited by the side picked by Ashton.

"My initial reaction when I saw the England selection was 'wow, it's my kind of team'," said Robinson.

"The back division sets the pulse racing.

"When you see runners like Jason Robinson and Josh Lewsey lining up outside Jonny Wilkinson and Andy Farrell, two players armed with immense creative ability, you automatically start thinking that anything is possible.

"And I was struck by the warrior spirit running through the line-up.

"Wilkinson, Farrell, Mike Tindall, Phil Vickery, Danny Grewcock, Martin Corry - these people are fighters, players who bring some real heart and soul to the mix.

"When I see those names on a team-sheet, I'm happy."