Jonny Wilkinson will miss England's two-Test tour to New Zealand this summer because he needs a shoulder operation.

The 28-year-old will have the surgery as soon as Newcastle's European Challenge Cup campaign ends - the Falcons face Worcester at Sixways on Friday night in the semi-final.

The absence of Wilkinson will leave Danny Cipriani in pole position to wear the No10 jersey against the All Blacks.

The choice facing the England selectors is whether to use the likes of Toby Flood, Shane Geraghty and Olly Barkley, who play most of their rugby at inside-centre, as cover for Cipriani or whether to include Sale's Charlie Hodgson in the squad.