Wilkinson injury blow

Jonny Wilkinson's chances of being fit for the Six Nations Championship next month have hit another setback.

England's World Cup hero has admitted that his shoulder injury is worse than first thought and is not responding well to treatment.

Wilkinson has only one match, on 7 February, to prove his fitness to Clive Woodward, whose victorious squad has been decimated by injuries since returning from Australia.

Wilkinson said: "My symptoms are more severe and longer lasting than previously. I have not set a date for my return. I'm going day by day. The 'stinger' injury I suffered on this occasion was more painful and spread to more areas and it has given me some distress down my right side. It's weak and it is taking me some time to get my strength back."

The fly-half 's likely replacement, Charlie Hodgson, is also struggling after suffering damage to the same knee which kept him out for eight months last year while playing for Sale at the weekend. He will not know the results for another two days, and, along with Woodward, he will be hoping that it is not a recurrence of the problem which forced him to miss the World Cup.

Hodgson would have a crucial role to play in England's Grand Slam defence which begins in Italy on 15 February because he also provides vital cover at centre as well.