Rugby Union, Lions Tour of New Zealand: Johnson Rules Out Lions Return

England's World Cup winning captain Martin Johnson yesterday confirmed he would not be available for the Lions tour to New Zealand this summer.

Johnson plays in a testimonial match against a Jonah Lomu XV at Twickenham on June 4, the day of the first Lions tour match, an indication he also intends to bring the curtain down on his playing career.

Rob Howley, another former Lion, who was forced to end his playing career this season because of injury, will join the Cardiff Blues coaching team.

Gloucester's England wing James Simpson-Daniel will sit out Saturday's Powergen Cup quarter-final against Bristol. He played for Gloucester against Stade Français last Sunday, less than a month after having an operation on his shoulder but was examined by England's medical team this week and they want him to rest for the next two weekends.

"We will not play him against Bristol," said the Gloucester director of rugby Nigel Melville. "James was last week given clearance to play by the surgeon who operated on him, but the same surgeon this week told England further rehabilitation was needed because of the risk of further damage. I want to look after players and will not pick them if they are injured. Whether James will be fit for our league match against Worcester next week remains to be seen."

England were last night seeking a second opinion on Simpson-Daniel, while Wales have asked Melville not to play the hooker Mefin Davies against Worcester because they want the forward to take part in a training session.

The England centre Mike Tindall, who is out until next month with a foot injury, has had 30 stitches inserted into a hand wound this week after a mishap in the weights room.

The Wales coach Mike Ruddock yesterday announced a 31-strong squad to prepare for the Six Nations which included one uncapped player, the Cardiff Blues prop John Yapp.

Ruddock wants his three players based in France, who include the Wales captain Gareth Thomas, to miss next week's round of league matches, but is not expecting a favourable response.

"What this highlights is the need for all our leading players to be based in Wales so we have fewer difficulties in quickly organising training sessions. The four regions here have been totally supportive of us," Ruddock said.

The 22-year-old Yapp, who has attracted the interest of Leicester, was called into the squad following injuries to Duncan Jones and Iestyn Thomas.

Leicester's former Bridgend prop Colin Noon has lost his appeal against a six-month ban for stamping and will be suspended until the end of September.