Johnson weighs up options

Team manager Martin Johnson will today confirm the identity of Danny Cipriani's replacement on England's summer tour of New Zealand.

Cipriani faces six months of intensive and painful rehabilitation after suffering a dislocated fracture of his right ankle in Wasps' Guinness Premiership semi-final win over Bath.

The 20-year-old underwent surgery on Sunday night and will remain under observation at the Lister Hospital in Chelsea for the next few days.

Cipriani required oxygen as he was carried from the pitch at Adams Park after his ankle was caught awkwardly in a tackle. He is unlikely to play for England again this year.

The injury has robbed Cipriani of a chance to go head to head with New Zealand's Dan Carter, widely considered the best fly-half in world rugby, and is a wretched way to end what has been a remarkable season.

Cipriani displaced Jonny Wilkinson as England fly-half during the RBS 6 Nations and won unprecedented nominations in both player of the year categories at Wednesday's Professional Rugby Players' Association awards.

"We all feel for Danny," said Johnson.

"The England medical team will be in regular contact with London Wasps over the next few months regarding his rehabilitation and we all wish Danny a speedy recovery."

Johnson spent yesterday in urgent discussions with Rob Andrew, who will take charge of the summer tour, and the rest of the England coaching staff about how best to react to the loss of his number one fly-half.

England are also without Wilkinson, who has had a shoulder operation, leaving Charlie Hodgson as the only specialist fly-half option left in the senior squad.