The England fly-half, plagued by injuries towards the end of his time in the Guinness Premiership with Newcastle Falcons, has been reinvigorated since his move and kicked 16 points in a 31-23 AMLIN Challenge Cup win over Sarries.

Wilkinson suffered a knock beyond the end of the 80 minutes, momentarily raising fresh injury fears.

But he recovered to make a heroic tackle, turning possession over to thwart a final attack and recalling the superb defensive influence of his early glory years.

He told Sky Sports: “Maybe I’m just doing it all a bit slower these days! All the guys are doing everything they can to help the cause and that’s part of what is being produced here, a bunch of guys that want to do well for each other.”

On his resurgence, he added: “I hope it’s something that I can keep going and I can last at.

“I’m just enjoying myself and trying to build on my own performances as well. It’s a great place to be and it helps with these guys around me.”