Rugby Union: Wilkinson Signs Up to Repay Newcastle Faith

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Jonny Wilkinson would be the first to admit that in pure value- for- money terms he has been about as much use as a chocolate teapot over the last 18 months. So what have Newcastle done? Signed him up for another three years at the knockdown price of pounds 750,000, give or take a gold ingot or two.

Wilkinson, just about fit enough to start the last Premiership game of the season having missed great swathes of the preceding 21 matches, finally put pen to paper yesterday after a prolonged round of negotiations.

'By going for a three-year contract this time, I think I've given a good indication to everyone of how happy I am at Kingston Park,' said England's …