Noon’s speedy recovery delights Johnson

9:47am Thursday 30th October 2008

NEWCASTLE Falcons centre Jamie Noon has returned to full training after a bout of concussion and is expected to start England’s opening Autumn international against the Pacific Islanders on November 8.

Noon’s international place looked to be in jeopardy when he was stretchered from the field in a neck brace during the opening ten minutes of last Friday’s EDF Energy Cup clash between Newcastle and Wasps.

The former Northumbria University student was taken straight to hospital for tests and, while he was not kept in overnight, his condition was serious enough to raise doubts about his availability for next weekend’s showpiece international at Twickenham.

Those doubts were partially dispelled when Noon joined the rest of England’s 32-man training squad on Monday, and they vanished entirely on Tuesday when he took part in a full training session under the watchful eye of England coach Martin Johnson.

Johnson confirmed Noon’s return to full fitness as he released eight players for this weekend’s EDF Energy Cup programme, and the fact that both Leicester’s Dan Hipkiss and Wasps’ Josh Lewsey have been axed suggests that Noon is being lined up for a starting spot at outside centre.

The Newcastle back could partner converted New Zealander Riki Flutey in a new-look centre pairing, although former Falcon Mathew Tait could also come into the reckoning if he recovers from a hamstring injury in time for the game.