Wilkinson ruled out of summer tour

England coach Clive Woodward has admitted defeat in the battle to get Jonny Wilkinson fit for next month’s Tests in New Zealand and Australia.

The fly-half, who kicked England’s World Cup winning drop goal against Australia last year, underwent neck surgery three months ago and has missed his country’s last eight internationals.

But Woodward is now hopeful the Newcastle star will be fit for England’s game against Canada at Twickenham in November – the warm-up for the rematch against Australia on the first anniversary of the World Cup final.

“Jonny will be back for the autumn internationals,” Woodward told the Daily Mail.

“In time, he will look back on this period as the best thing that could have happened at this stage of his career.”

Meanwhile, Paul Grayson, second only to Wilkinson in England’s all-time points scoring list, has retired from the international scene.

“I have absolutely no regrets,” Grayson told the Daily Mirror.

“I am delighted with my international career but I don’t want to leave my wife and kids any more.”