Fletcher's joy at Wilko's return

John Fletcher was a happy man as Jonny Wilkinson returned to inspire Newcastle.

Newcastle chief John Fletcher had double reason to celebrate as the Falcons recorded a shock 26-21 victory over Premiership leaders Bristol.

If the win was not enough to warm Fletcher on a bitterly cold night at Kingston Park, the fact the prodigal Jonny Wilkinson came through 80 minutes in one piece certainly did the trick.

Wilkinson had spent the last two months on the sidelines after damaging medial ligaments in his knee - the latest in a long line of injuries stretching back to 2003.

However, the England fly-half showed flashes of his brilliance as his landed 11 points and had a hand in Newcastle's best work.

And Fletcher said: "Jonny has got a few bumps and bruises and I'm sure he'll feel it tomorrow but he is so fit we decided to leave him on for the full 80 minutes.

"I thought his first-half performance was outstanding and he is one of the players who can make a real difference. He makes the team tick with his energy and his drive."

Such is Wilkinson's impact on the English game, that even Bristol coach Richard Hill could not help but praise him - despite the 27-year-old having a hand in his side's defeat.

Hill said: "Wilkinson was outstanding. To come back after eight weeks on the sidelines was exceptional and you could see he was hungry for it."

However, not even Wilkinson's display could keep Hill from admitting his side had paid the price for being over-confident.

He added: "It was a real kick up the backside and we have learned a lesson and we will be a different side when we play Sale next weekend.

"We have to learn to deal with the expectation of being favourites.

"Perhaps we were a little over-confident but, when Newcastle gained parity up front, we knew it was going to be difficult because they can damage you behind the scrum.

"At half-time it looked pretty grim for us but we did come back and could have nicked it at the end."