19 Sep 2007

England star to play against Samoa

10:13 am on 19 September 2007

Jonny Wilkinson is set to play his first game of the 2007 Rugby World Cup after being named in England's side to face Samoa in Nantes this weekend.

Wilkinson, the dropped-goal hero of the 2003 final, missed England's opening 28-10 win against the United States and their 36-0 thrashing by South Africa - England's record World Cup defeat - with an ankle injury.

England has made seven changes to its starting line up for the game.

Samoa fullback and goalkicker Gavin Williams will miss the game after fracturing a bone in his hand in the match against Tonga.

Williams has notched all of his side's World Cup points so far, scoring and converting his try in the loss to South Africa and kicking five penalties in the 15-19 defeat by the Tongans.