Wilkinson has shoulder operation
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Jonny Wilkinson has undergone shoulder surgery
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LONDON, England -- England's World Cup-winning flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson has had shoulder surgery and should be released from hospital on Thursday, his club announced.
"Newcastle Falcons can confirm that Jonny Wilkinson has had his operation and is expected to be discharged from hospital some time on Thursday 12 February," the club said on its website.
Wilkinson, who kicked the extra-time drop goal in England's 20-17 World Cup final victory over Australia last November, had already been ruled out of this year's Six Nations tournament.
The 24-year-old was expected to need at least six to eight week to recover.
England open their Six Nations defence on Sunday in Rome against Italy, with their final match against France in Paris on March 27.
Northampton's Paul Grayson, a World Cup squad member, has been named at flyhalf for Sunday's game.
Borthwick dropped
England coach Clive Woodward has been forced to drop Bath lock Steve Borthwick from his squad for the match against Italy after discovering the player was cited for an incident in a club game last weekend.
Borthwick was named by the independent citing officer after Bath's league defeat against Wasps on Saturday, following an incident that involved England captain Lawrence Dallaglio.
The lock had been named on the bench for the Rome fixture but, under Six Nations rules, he cannot play for his country while a disciplinary matter is pending.
"I only heard last night that it (a citing) might happen and it was confirmed this morning," Woodward said on Wednesday.
"Under Premiership rules, he would have been allowed to play for his club but, under Six Nations rules, he cannot play for England.
The Six Nations rule was introduced two years ago after Woodward had controversially selected former captain Martin Johnson who, following an appeal, was awaiting a citing hearing.
Woodward called up Simon Shaw to the bench on Wednesday as cover for England's starting second row of Ben Kay and Danny Grewcock.
Pountney quits
Former Scotland captain Budge Pountney has announced his retirement after failing to fully recover from a broken ankle.
The Northampton flanker represented his club more than 200 times and won 32 caps for Scotland, scoring five tries.
Northampton's New Zealand coach Wayne Smith said: "Budge's absence will be a huge loss to the game. He is a great role model and a great leader."
Pountney said he wanted to stay in the game as a coach.
"I have always loved rugby and intend to stay within the game. During the last six months I have had plenty of time to learn some coaching skills both with Saints and local junior club Wellingborough, and I hope this will stand me in good stead for the future," he said.
Pountney broke his left ankle in a pre-season friendly against Cardiff in September and has failed to fully recover despite intensive rehabilitation and specialist care.
The flanker underwent an operation to remove a testicle after being kicked playing for Northampton against London Irish a year ago.
He began his career at Northampton in the 1994/95 season. He played 215 games for the club since his debut against Coventry and scored 46 tries. He was made captain in the 2001/02 season.
Pountney announced his retirement from international rugby a year ago, saying he was disgusted with penny-pinching by Scottish Rugby Union bosses who demanded he reimburse 7.50 pounds (11 dollars) for a tie he gave to a young fan.
Pountney was born in Southampton, England, but qualified for Scotland through a grandparent born in the Channel Islands.
