England head coach Andy Robinson has vowed Jonny Wilkinson and Lawrence Dallaglio will not be rushed back into the Red Rose squad before they are ready.
Dallaglio makes his first appearance of the campaign for Wasps in the Powergen Cup clash with Cardiff, four months and three days after fracturing his right ankle on the British & Irish Lions tour.
Dallaglio has indicated strongly his desire to come out of England retirement but is anxious to prove himself with Wasps before making any decisions.
Wilkinson, meanwhile, made yet another comeback last weekend – this time from an appendix operation – with 26 minutes off the bench for Newcastle.
Wilkinson has not played for England since the World Cup final two years ago and the decision to fast-track him into the Lions Test squad soon after he suffered knee ligament damage backfired.
But Robinson is not about to make the same mistake again.
Despite England facing the challenge of Australia, New Zealand and Samoa with a post-World Cup record of nine defeats in 16 Tests, both Wilkinson and Dallaglio will be given time to find form and fitness before being considered for England returns.
"Right from the start the plan with Jonny was that he was going to focus on Newcastle and get back to playing rugby, enjoying his rugby and putting some games together. It’s the same with Lawrence," Robinson said.
"Lawrence has not played yet, and Jonny has had half a game, so it is important they now have the games and the time to play."
Robinson has the freedom to add players to his 31-man training squad but indicated that would be unlikely unless injuries forced his hand ahead of the November Tests.
In fact, Robinson has virtually finalised the team he wants to take on Australia nearly five weeks ahead of the Cook Cup clash at Twickenham.
"I have a 31-man squad but injuries occur in this game, form as well. We want all the players who have been here to go back to their clubs and really perform," he said.
"We want players on top of their game with a real confidence so when they go on the pitch to play Australia they know ‘I am on the top of my game, now watch me’.
"I can picture the team that is going to run out at Twickenham to within one or two positions."
