Rugby Union: Wilkinson Out Until After Christmas

Jonny Wilkinson will not play any more rugby before Christmas after undergoing a hernia operation in London yesterday, the latest in an increasingly grim sequence of injury setbacks since his last appearance for England in the World Cup final against Australia more than two years ago.

Newcastle insisted the operation was "fairly routine" but Wilkinson is not expected to be fit to resume for the Falcons before their Guinness Premiership game against Leeds on December 27. "He damaged his groin last week and the injury is more commonly known as a sportsman's hernia," said the Falcons' director of rugby, Rob Andrew. "We hope to have him back for the Leeds game."

The only club game of real consequence that Wilkinson will miss is Sunday's Premiership meeting with Wasps. After neck, knee and biceps problems, the 26-year-old is running out of body parts which have not needed specialist medical attention. Wilkinson has started only four club games this season and made two appearances off the bench. He also admitted this week that, despite his groin problem, he went out last Saturday and did two hours' kicking practice. His obsession with self-improvement, in this case, appears to have been counter-productive.

The current England captain Martin Corry, meanwhile, has challenged his team to show a "ruthless edge" against Samoa at Twickenham tomorrow. "It's important we close this autumn series with a game of the utmost intensity," said Corry. "When you're struggling to get down the stairs the morning after playing the All Blacks the thought of another game of rugby is quite hard but after a couple of ice baths you feel as right as rain."

The Australia prop Matt Dunning, carried off on a stretcher against England a fortnight ago, has been recalled to the front row for tomorrow's Test against Wales in Cardiff. The All Black fly-half Dan Carter was yesterday named the International Rugby Players Association player of the year. New Zealand, looking to complete a grand slam tour tomorrow by beating Scotland, were the team of the year.