England receive World Cup boost as David Wilson makes Bath return after neck surgery
ENGLAND’S World Cup hand will be strengthened further tonight when prop David Wilson make his comeback for Bath after three-and-a-half months out following neck surgery.
Wilson, who missed the Six Nations with the injury, returns against Harlequins at The Rec on the penultimate weekend of the regular Premiership season.
“It’s absolutely massive having him back. He brings a real focus to our set piece,” said Bath scrum coach Neal Hatley.
While Dan Cole remains Stuart Lancaster’s first choice at tight head, Wilson developed well in his absence in the autumn internationals. Fit again, he is a certainty for England’s World Cup training squad which will be announced in a fortnight.
Wales coach Warren Gatland will still pick Jamie Roberts even if he chooses to sign for Harlequins rather than a Welsh region. The 28-year-old is expected to make the switch from Racing Metro in the summer.
The WRU’s long-term goal is to favour Wales-based players for selection but Gatland is willing to be pragmatic.
“There’s not a hard and fast rule as there is with England,” said Gatland, who still looks likely to name Gloucester’s James Hook in his 45-man training squad.
Gloucester centre Bill Meakes has been banned for two weeks for the off-the-ball high tackle which led to his dismissal against Edinburgh in the European Challenge Cup final a week ago.
Meakes will miss Gloucester’s two remaining Premiership games but will be available for the Champions Cup play-offs.