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The presence of England outside half Wilkinson MBE - making his first appearance since his World Cup final winning heroics in Sydney last month - in Newcastle Falcons' Parker Pen Challenge Cup Round 1 second leg match against Spanish club VRAC has ensured a bumper turnout.
The Falcons had a crowd of 5,041 when they played double European champions Toulouse in the Heineken Cup at Kingston Park two seasons ago.
But an avalanche of advance ticket sales for Wilkinson's return to club action, on top of over 2,000 season ticket holders, in Sunday's lunchtime Parker Pen Challenge Cup clash with the Spanish minnows point to a crowd of some 7,000 - including 40 travelling VRAC supporters - being on hand to welcome "home" the game's hottest property.
