JONNY Wilkinson has been ruled out of England’s autumn international campaign with a shoulder injury.

The Toulon fly-half has been formally replaced in Martin Johnson’s 32-man elite squad by Sale’s Charlie Hodgson.

Wilkinson does not require surgery but the Rugby Football Union confirmed he will be out of action for four weeks.

Wilkinson saw a specialist on Tuesday after reporting to England’s training camp with a shoulder problem sustained in Toulon’s defeat to Stade Francais on Saturday night.

England always knew he was doubtful for the New Zealand game on November 6 but it became apparent over the last 48 hours that Wilkinson would be sidelined for the whole series.

Johnson said: ‘‘Jonny was being assessed day by day and we knew we would have a better idea of where he was in terms of the injury by the end of this week.’’ Wilkinson lost his place as England’s starting fly-half at the end of last year’s Six Nations but he remained a key figure in Johnson’s squad.

Toby Flood is now certain to start against the All Blacks with Hodgson set to be named in a Test squad for the first time since the 2008 summer tour of New Zealand.