Autumn internationals news: Riki Flutey to miss summer tour?

20/04/2010

Riki Flutey has his work cut out if he is to feature in the autumn internationals later this year following a recurrence of his shoulder injury.

The England and British Lions centre will end the 2009-10 campaign early having made just five appearances for French Top 14 outfit Brive after suffering a series of knocks and keeping his international commitments.

Reports have suggested the Kiwi-born star may now need further surgery on the same shoulder that required an operation last year.

It means Flutey would be ruled out of the summer tour of the southern hemisphere, where Martin Johnson's men will face Australia and New Zealand.

If he misses out on the trip, the former Wasps player could find it difficult to win his position back in time for the autumn internationals, which get underway with a clash against New Zealand on November 6th 2010 at Twickenham.

Games against Australia, Samoa and world champions South Africa will then complete this year's autumn internationals series.

Posted by Ted Walker