JONNY Wilkinson will be on the bench for Newcastle Falcons' Powergen Cup tie at home to Sale Sharks on Sunday.

Four weeks after undergoing keyhole surgery to remove his appendix the World Cup-winning fly half is ready for another comeback.

He is certain to get on, but it will not be Dave Walder he replaces as his usual deputy has been left out of the squad, with England Under 21 player Toby Flood being given a starting chance alongside Hall Charlton.

James Grindal normally alternates at scrum half with Charlton, but his place in the squad has been taken by another England Under 21 player, Lee Dickson.

Director of Rugby Rob Andrew said: "The Development XV has become the vehicle for people to put pressure on the first team players and both Toby and Lee have been outstanding.

"It's an opportunity for us to give Toby a start because he deserves it. You have to have the confidence to put these guys in because you are not going to find out what they are made of if they are sitting in the stand."

On the subject of Wilkinson, who was left out of the England squad this week, Andrew said: "He's a fast healer as well as being incredibly fit. He has trained with us all week and there is no question he is ready.

"He just needs a clear run of three months or so playing something close to 80 minutes a week before people start making judgements. After the injuries he's had he is due a run of good health."

Andrew has again changed his entire front row for Sunday's first match in the revamped Powergen Trophy, with hooker Matt Thompson being joined by David Wilson and Tino Paoletti.

* Scotland legend Gregor Townsend is considering a return to the international arena in the autumn Test series.

New national head coach Frank Hadden has left the door open for the injured 32-year-old after naming his first official training squad.

Townsend was dropped from the Scotland team when Matt Williams succeeded Ian McGeechan, despite being the country's most-capped player after 82 appearances.

But, after the sacking of the Australian in March, Hadden wants the Border Reivers man - who is recovering from a chipped bone in his ankle - to return for the games against New Zealand, Argentina and Samoa.

Townsend said: ''Frank told me he would like me to be in the mix and asked if I would consider it.

''That approach and being out injured for the last two weeks has made me think."