Vickery ruled out of England tour
04/05/2004 - 18:02:17Phil Vickery was tonight ruled out of England’s summer tour to New Zealand and Australia.
The Gloucester prop, capped 43 times, will undergo back surgery later this week to try and rectify a bulging disc problem.
It will be the second time in under 18 months for 28-year-old Vickery to have a back operation, and it is thought he will be sidelined for around 12 weeks.
England face the All Blacks twice and Australia next month, with Vickery’s absence certain to be keenly felt – especially because head coach Sir Clive Woodward is also set to lose Jonny Wilkinson and Lewis Moody through long-term injuries.
