Newcastle Falcons fly half Jonny Wilkinson made a return to playing action on Friday, as he turned out for Wharfedale Under-12s.

The World Cup winner played ten minutes of touch rugby with youngsters from the Yorkshire club at half time in Ian Peel’s benefit match, as Peel’s hometown club Wharfedale defeated a Falcons XV 22-12.

Wilkinson was joined by fellow Falcons stars Matt Burke, Toby Flood and Mathew Tait in the touch competition, which was one of a number of events in Peel’s benefit year in aid of the Falcons prop who was forced to retire from the game last season due to a neck injury.

Said Peel: “I’d like to thank Jonny, Matt, Toby and Taity for coming down, as well as everyone at Wharfedale and Newcastle Falcons for organising the night.”

Part of the proceeds from Peel’s benefit year will go to the Ali Johnson Fund, helping the Tynedale prop who is paralysed from the neck down.”