England setback for Moody

England are resigned to losing Lewis Moody for this summer's tour Down Under after the Leicester flanker suffered a setback in his rehabilitation from a foot stress fracture.

Moody, who has managed even less rugby than Jonny Wilkinson since the World Cup Final, is back on crutches and has been written off for the rest of the season.

'To come back from the World Cup and not be able to play any part for Leicester when the lads are struggling is frustrating,' he said. 'It drives you mad, especially after I'd got back into training a few weeks ago.'

Since launching the move which gave Wilkinson the platform for his historic drop goal against the Wallabies, Moody has been restricted to half-anhour's action during the Tigers' losing European Cup tie against Stade Francais in December.

Wilkinson's one post-World Cup outing for Newcastle lasted 53 minutes before he damaged his shoulder. But while Wilkinson still hopes to be fit for the June Tests against the All Blacks and Australia, Moody will have his right leg in plaster for the next month.

Once given the goahead to start training again, it will take him another eight weeks to regain full fitness.