England star Wilkinson in the clear

LONDON, England -- England star Jonny Wilkinson has escaped action over a weekend tackle against Wales and is free to play in Sunday's Six Nations Championship match with Italy in Rome.

There were fears the Newcastle fly-half could be cited after flanker Jonathan Thomas left the pitch dazed and with blood seeping from his mouth as Wales won 26-19 at Twickenham.

England have lost four players through injuries suffered in that setback and could ill-afford to lose Wilkinson as well as they bid to bounce back.

Thomas, who was knocked out following a short-arm tackle by England's World Cup hero, will have a series of neurological tests before he is considered for Saturday's home clash against Scotland in Cardiff.

Wales physiotherapist Mark Davies said: "Jonathan Thomas recovered very quickly afterwards. He was very groggy but he has had no reaction.

"He was seen by a neurologist to assess him and, subsequent to that, he has had a scan and the news on that has been very positive.

"Jon is going to have further tests and a consultation with the neuro-surgeon this evening."

Wales seemed happy with the legitimacy of Wilkinson's tackle and forwards coach Robin McBryde said: "When I saw it, it didn't look anything to me. I've only seen it from one angle but it looked okay."

And Davies said: "Jonathan has taken it as a fair challenge."

England coach Brian Ashton has called up three replacements to his injury-hit squad with uncapped Newcastle scrum-half Lee Dickson drafted in along with London Irish back Shane Geraghty and Sale Sharks flanker Magnus Lund.

Dickson, 22, was born in Germany, and represented Scotland at the 2004 Under-19 World Cup before switching his international allegiance to England.

Geraghty, who switched from centre to fly-half when Gloucester's Ryan Lamb went off injured, won two caps as a replacement last season against France and Wales.

England's absentees include center Mike Tindall who is unlikely to play any further part in this season's Six Nations after suffering bruising to his liver.

Winger David Strettle (foot), together with flankers Lewis Moody (Achilles) and Tom Rees (knee ligament), are also out of the Italy game and have returned to their clubs.

Wales lock Alun Wyn Jones has been ruled out of Saturday's clash after damaging ankle ligaments during the second half at Twickenham.

Scotland back Rory Lamont has been ruled out after suffering shoulder and ankle injuries in the 27-6 home defeat against France.

Lamont, 25, played at fullback against the French and was partly responsible for the second of their three tries, misjudging his attempt to smother a kick from wing Julien Malzieu, who went on to score.

Scotland team doctor James Robson said it was too early to say if Lamont would be able to return later in the tournament but his injury appears to pave the way for a return by Chris Paterson.

Meanwhile, France have named an unchanged 22-man squad for Saturday's clash with Ireland in Paris.

Scrum-half Jean-Baptiste Elissalde is included, even though he came off after an hour of Sunday's win nursing a knock to his left ankle, but there is no place for fit again center Yannick Jauzion.

Les Bleus, looking to claim their third successive Six Nations crown, got the defense of their title off to a superb start at the weekend by easing past the Scots at Murrayfield. E-mail to a friend