The Dragons' Colin Charvis produced a man of the match performance © Getty Images

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Matches Dragons 25 - 14 Newcastle

Players/Officials Jonny Wilkinson

Tournaments/Tours Anglo-Welsh Cup

Teams Dragons | England | Newcastle | Wales

Newcastle are hopeful Jonny Wilkinson will make a strong recovery after undergoing successful knee surgery.

Wilkinson was operated on by specialist Rob Gregory in Newcastle today. He dislocated his knee during Falcons' Guinness Premiership defeat against Gloucester at Kingsholm on Tuesday night.

Estimates about his recovery are that he is unlikely to play again before Christmas, ruling him out of England's autumn Test matches with the Pacific Islanders, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand.

Newcastle rugby director Steve Bates said: "Jonny has had his operation, and the reports are that it went well. They are optimistic about it, and we will have to see how it progresses. It is a reasonably difficult injury, and it will take a bit of time to come back.

"Jonny plays with 100% effort, and in that respect he is very vulnerable, but he is just the same as everyone else."

On the field, Bates had few complaints after Newcastle lost their opening EDF Energy Cup game 25-14 against Newport Gwent Dragons at Rodney Parade. Former Newcastle captain Colin Charvis grounded the Falcons with a super-sub display.

The 35-year-old flanker, now part of the Dragons' coaching staff, marked his first senior appearance this season by delivering a memorable second-half performance. Dragons trailed 14-13 when Charvis appeared as a 52nd-minute replacement - but he quickly took charge.

Not only did his team start to boss the forward exchanges, he also created a crucial try for substitute wing Tom Isaacs.

Charvis, Wales' most capped forward in history with 94 Test match appearances, stole possession in midfield, then delivered a stunning one-handed pass to Isaacs, who sprinted clear. Newcastle, who recovered from a poor opening period to lead through wing Ollie Phillips' touchdown, had no answer to Charvis' class.

Fly-half Jason Tovey added 15 points for the Dragons, including a try, and there was also a touchdown for centre Marc Stcherbina.

Bates added: "The three Dragons tries came from our turnovers, but some of our boys have played four games in 12 days. Colin Charvis stole the ball from a ruck five minutes after he came on. He is of those players who has a lot of experience who will do something like that."

Dragons head coach Paul Turner said: "I thought we showed a lot of guts. It was a patched-up (Dragons) team, but they certainly had an opportunity to show what they can do. Some of the defence was outstanding, and it was a shame we didn't get the bonus point at the end."

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