JONNY Wilkinson has sent Newcastle team-mate Phil Dowson a good luck message ahead of this evening's England Saxons clash with the United States, and urged the Falcons flanker to make the most of his international opportunity.

Dowson, who missed the majority of last season with neck and bicep injuries, has been named in the Saxons' starting line-up for the opening game of this year's Churchill Cup.

And Wilkinson, who played for the England A team in the early stages of his own career, has backed his team-mate to underline his international credentials at Sale's Edgeley Park tonight.

"It's a great opportunity to show he can play in what will be a high standard of international rugby," said the Falcons fly-half.

"It's all about finding out who can handle the pace, intensity and aggression in these games and all the matches are set up perfectly for the Saxons squad members to show what they can do.

"It will be a bit like taking exams for the Saxons players, each opposition will provide a wide range of tests that they will need to find answers to."

Dowson, who played for England in the 2005 Churchill Cup, will feel at home this evening as fellow Newcastle players Ben Woods, Lee Dickson and Matt Thompson have been named amongst the Saxons' replacements.

The trio should all be involved at some stage as England's second-string take on a United States side that will face Brian Ashton's senior squad in their opening game of this autumn's World Cup

And Toby Flood, Wilkinson's fly-half rival at both club and international level, insists their call-ups are a just reward for some impressive domestic displays this season.

"It's a great opportunity for the younger Falcons - Ben Woods, Phil Dowson, Lee Dickson and Matt Thompson," said Flood.

"Lee's the sort of player who'll get others going and really spark people off from scrum half.

"Dowson's the ball carrier who works really hard and Woods, in my opinion, was the player of the season at Newcastle this year, even though seven's a tough position and there are so many good back rows around.

"And Matt Thompson's played consistently well and deserves this opportunity - he's a young hooker with a lot of potential."