Jonny Wilkinson was last night ruled out of the entire 2004 RBS 6 Nations Championship.

England's worst fears have been realised with the news that their World Cup match-winner must undergo an operation on his right shoulder next Wednesday.

It is anticipated Wilkinson will then face a recuperation period of between six and eight weeks, meaning he has no chance of featuring in any of England's championship matches.

Fly-half Wilkinson has played less than an hour's rugby since the World Cup triumph in Australia last November.

But in the knowledge he must go under the surgeon's knife, England head coach Sir Clive Woodward will now hope that Wilkinson at least has a chance of featuring on the summer tour to New Zealand and Australia.

Wilkinson's club Newcastle last night released a brief statement on their website, www.newcastle-falcons.co.uk.

It read: ''Newcastle Falcons announced today that Jonny Wilkinson will be having an operation on his right shoulder next Wednesday, February 11.

''It is anticipated that there will be a six-eight week recovery period following the operation.''

Wilkinson, 24, has endured a miserable time since the World Cup, in which his extra-time drop goal gave England a stunning victory over Australia in Sydney.

Woodward had already ruled him out of the opening Six Nations fixture against Italy in Rome tomorrow week, and last night's developments come after Wilkinson sought another specialist's opinion.

Woodward will have no intention of rushing his star player back, and the emphasis from both club and country must now be on Wilkinson making a full recovery.

His loss to the Six Nations campaign compounds England's problems in the No 10 position.

Wilkinson's obvious replacement - Sale Sharks fly-half Charlie Hodgson - is currently awaiting considered medical opinion on a knee problem and will not be involved against either Italy or England's second opponents Scotland at Murrayfield later this month.

It means that Woodward must now assess the claims of Paul Grayson, Olly Barkley and Alex King for the key playmaker's job.

Grayson has experience on his side, but Bath prospect Barkley has been one of the Zurich Premiership's outstanding players this season. Barkley and King will oppose each other today when Bath tackle Wasps in a top-of-the-table Premiership clash at the Recreation Ground.

But whoever Woodward opts for, replacing English international rugby's record points-scorer and one of the world's highest-profile players will be a daunting task.

* Sir Clive Woodward last night adopted a business-as-usual approach after landing one of the most coveted jobs in British sport.

England's World Cup-winning mastermind will coach the 2005 Lions in New Zealand, accompanied by tour manager and former red rose team-mate Bill Beaumont.

But 48-year-old Woodward has insisted that England's RBS 6 Nations Championship campaign must top his immediate agenda.

''I am delighted to accept the job of head coach to the 2005 Lions,'' said Woodward, a Test Lion during the 1980 South Africa tour.

''It was a huge honour to play for the Lions and to be given the opportunity of taking the squad to New Zealand is a huge challenge and one I want everyone connected with the squad to enjoy.

''However, my immediate priority continues to be England.

''There will be a lot of speculation about our itinerary and other coaching and management appointments for the Lions tour but I'm sure people will understand that I will only comment further on the Lions once the Six Nations has been completed.''

Woodward will work alongside Beaumont, England's 1980 Grand Slam captain, and team manager Louise Ramsay, who is the current England manager. Further appointments are expected to be announced in April, when Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan can expect an assistant role. O'Sullivan and Woodward were sole contenders for the main job.

Members of Woodward's highly-rated support staff could also feature on the Lions' shopping list, notably Andy Robinson, defensive specialist Phil Larder, goalkicking expert Dave Alred and fitness adviser Dave Reddin.

The New Zealand tour sees a proposed ten-match schedule, highlighted by three Tests in Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland. Other opponents are likely to include the powerful New Zealand Maori, Otago and Wellington.

''The work relating to the essential logistics and the administrative-related aspects of the tour has to start now,'' Woodward added.

''With that in mind, I'm delighted that the England manager, Louise Ramsay MBE, has accepted the role of team manager for the tour. Louise's appointment was part of my agreement.