Wilkinson injury crisis

England appear resigned to losing Jonny Wilkinson for this summer's tour to New Zealand and Australia.

The news comes as a huge blow to Clive Woodward as he prepares his team for tomorrow's Six Nations decider against France in Paris.

Standard Sport understands that Wilkinson has failed to make the expected progress from his shoulder operation and will now miss Newcastle's Powergen Cup final with Sale on 17 April - a match he had hoped to play in.

No return date

No new date has been scheduled for his return, which makes it increasingly difficult for Woodward to consider Wilkinson for a summer return.

A source close to the England camp said: "From what we hear the shoulder has not responded in the way Johnny had hoped, which means it really is a race against time to get him fit for the tour."

England meet the All Blacks in Dunedin (12 June) and Auckland (19 June) and Australia in Brisbane (26 June).

Although there remains a chance that Wilkinson could be taken on tour, it would be to monitor his recovery and keep him involved with a squad that has already shown significant changes from the side that beat Australia in the World Cup Final last November.

Knock-on effect on crowds

The news of Wilkinson's continuing shoulder problems will worry rugby chiefs Down Under who fear that his absence would have an effect on gates.

Wilkinson admits the recovery process is slow and said: "The strength is coming back in my right arm though it is a frustratingly slow process. I have now had a 10 to 15 per cent improvement from when I had the operation so I know I am on the right path.

"I can't set my mind on a comeback date yet, though I know the Powergen Cup final has been mentioned. But while that is around the time I would like to be back playing, I would have thought that is impossible."

England go into tomorrow's game fielding their fourth-choice fly-half, Olly Barkley after an extraordinary week when he was dropped and then recalled after Paul Grayson failed a fitness test.

The only good news for Woodward this weekend is the return from long-term injury of Charlie Hodgson who is due to play at No10 for Sale against Gloucester tonight.