Wilkinson out for England clash with Canada

England coach Andy Robinson tonight conceded the inevitable and ruled Jonny Wilkinson out of next week’s first autumn Test against Canada at Twickenham.

Newcastle fly-half Wilkinson had been due to captain his country but is sidelined by an upper arm injury which means Robinson must appoint a new leader for the Canada clash.

Wilkinson is among 10 players removed from an original 40-man England squad, which was today reduced to 30 by Robinson.

Like Wilkinson, other players not considered because of recent or ongoing injuries included World Cup props Trevor Woodman and Phil Vickery plus Gloucester wing James Simpson-Daniel.

Robinson will name a starting line-up next Monday to face Canada, with Sale Sharks wing Mark Cueto and Leicester scrum-half Harry Ellis set to make their debuts.

The coach will also reveal the identity of his new captain on Monday, with Bath pair Mike Tindall and Steve Borthwick among the leading contenders.

The 10 players omitted today are Wilkinson, Vickery, Woodman, Simpson-Daniel, Gloucester lock Alex Brown, Leicester forward Louis Deacon, Bath’s Olly Barkley, Perpignan wing Dan Luger, Wasps wing Tom Voyce and Gloucester back-row man James Forrester.