CONCERNS over Jonny Wilkinson's future have prompted Newcastle Falcons to give a trial to former Cook Islands fly half Tommy Hayes.

The 32-year-old ex-Worcester, Bristol and Glasgow player trained with the club last week and was in the Development XV for last night's Guinness A League match at Worcester.

Hayes is an accomplished goal-kicker and the fact that Director of Rugby John Fletcher is considering signing him suggests he has growing doubts over Wilkinson.

The World Cup winner was told to take a month's complete rest after suffering a lacerated kidney on his latest comeback against Bristol on November 3.

That month is now up, but the club will say only that they are allowing Jonny to get on quietly with his recovery from his tenth injury since the World Cup final three years ago.

Newcastle are likely to lose their other fly half, Toby Flood, to the England squad during the Six Nations Championship, while Academy player Gavin Beasley, who made his senior debut against Harlequins last month, is injured.

Former Samoan international Loki Crichton, one of last month's four signings, has appeared at fly half but is considered more of an outside back.

Hayes' half back partner last night was Ross Sampson, who scored two tries for Tynedale against Darlington Mowden Park on Saturday, as did flanker Matt Fieldhouse, who was on the bench last night.

Also among the replacements were Darlington fly half Charlie Raynor and former Mowden hooker Ross Batty, while flanker Geoff Parling made his comeback after injury.

* Former Australia coach Eddie Jones will talk to the Rugby Football Union if they approach him about the vacant position as head coach of England.

Despite being contracted to Super 14s team, the Queensland Reds, Jones indicated he would consider any offers to coach at a national level.

''The realism of professional coaching is that you have to give any offer serious consideration,'' said Jones.

''What I am, is willing to listen if they want to speak to me, just as a person in any job would listen to an offer.''

Jones, who was sacked from his job in charge of the Wallabies this time last year, has already knocked back two national coaching jobs this year, outlining his commitment to the Reds.

He added: ''The Australian Rugby Union was committed to me three months before I was sacked, so, like any job, you have to keep an open mind.

''The English have the most resources and the potential to be rugby's most powerful nation. That's why any coach would think about a position there.''

England have struggled recently, having only won nine Tests from the past 22, forcing Andy Robinson's departure.