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Rugby Union

Wilkinson ruled out of England's tour of New Zealand

21/04/2008

Jonny Wilkinson will miss England's tour of New Zealand in June to undergo shoulder surgery.

The Newcastle fly-half will have an operation to repair a cartilage tear at the end of the Guinness Premiership season.

England face the Barbarians at Twickenham on June 1st ahead of two Tests against the All Blacks.

Rob Andrew, Rugby Football Union's elite rugby director, said Wilkinson needs to cure a long-standing shoulder problem.

"We would have liked him to tour and we intend to take our strongest available squad," Andrew said.

"But player welfare is important and in this case it's the right call for Jonny not to go to New Zealand."

The New Zealand tour will be overseen by Andrew, as newly appointed team manager Martin Johnson will stay at home to be with his pregnant wife Kay.

Wilkinson, who recently signed a new two-year contract with the Falcons, looked set to battle with the in-form Danny Cipriani for a starting place in New Zealand.

Despite becoming the highest points scorer in Test history during this year's Six Nations, Wilkinson was axed for the final game against Ireland.

The 28-year-old missed the Falcons' 53-10 drubbing by Sale yesterday to recover from concussion.

He is expected to return for the visit of Worcester Warriors in the European Challenge Cup semi-final on Friday.