No change on Wilkinson – Gatland

British and Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland has confirmed that no further discussions have taken place with Jonny Wilkinson.

British and Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland has confirmed that no further discussions have taken place with Jonny Wilkinson.

Wilkinson played an instrumental role in guiding Toulon to the Heineken Cup title on Saturday.

Speculation that the 34-year old fly-half may link up with the Lions squad was renewed as a result of his impressive display.

Wilkinson kicked 56 of Toulon's 61 points in the knockout stages of the competition, not missing a kick in the quarter-final, semi-final or final.

However after discussions before the Lions squad announcement between Gatland and Wilkinson, when the former England fly-half committed himself to Toulon and highlighted that his body was being managed on a weekly basis, his participation was ruled out.

The Lions have opted to take only two fly-halves to Austraila in Ireland's Jonathan Sexton and England's Owen Farrell, with Scotland's Stuart Hogg providing cover at 10.

“We've been through the conversation that we had with Jonny and nothing's changed on that,” said Gatland.

“If we picked up an injury on tour then maybe there's a conversation to be had. Jonny's a good player, but we've had the conversation about him.”