England Rugby: Jonny Be Good...But When Jonny Not There, Who Can Be Better?

Jonny Wilkinson, the top rugby union point scorer of all time, the holder of the infamous No. 10 England rugby shirt, one of the most deadly kickers of a rugby ball to have ever existed, will undergo shoulder surgery at the end of this rugby season, meaning that he is definitely out of the New Zealand tour in June.

This will be a big blow to new team manager Martin Johnson, someone who has played alongside and helped to nurture Wilkinson as he has come of age and made the number 10 shirt his own. He will now need to fill the big void left by Wilkinson's withdrawal. There are a list of potential candidates who could step up to the plate, and I will go thorough them below:

Danny Cipriani - had a brilliant game against Ireland in the 6 Nations after coming on for Wilkinson. Had a perfect 100%  kicking rate in that game and never looked daunted under the pressure. Seen as the prime choice to take the shirt.

Shane Geraghty - Has made two starts in an England shirt and not failed to disappoint in both. Contributed to England's win over France in the 2007 Six Nations, but did not make the World Cup squad. A reliable if unproven choice

Charlie Hodgson - Only just recovered match fitness. Has scored 253 points in 29 England games (an average of 8.74 points per game). Has often been cited for his inconsistent kicking accuracy. A wise old head but inconsistent.

Olly Barkley - Has given England victories when the have really counted, such as against Wales and France in the 2004 Six Nations and the Barbarians in the first test of the 2005 tour.  Average 3 and a third points per cap. Reliable but will Johnno see that?

Toby Flood - Can cover in at fly-half should the need arise,but excelled as an inside centre during the 2008 Six Nations. If Mike Tindall recovers they could make a formidable pair in England's centre. Should be in the squad but as a centre rather than a fly-half.

Checking out these guys, I would say that Cipriani should be a dead cert to start at fly-half for the New Zealand tour. The other fly-half place I think should go to either Geraghty or Barkley. Given the choice, I would say Olly Barkley. Geraghty can also cover as a centre so he can be in the squad, along with Flood, to provide emergency fly-half cover should it be needed.