England coach Clive Woodward has ruled Jonny Wilkinson out of England's opening Six Nations encounter with Italy on 15 February. Woodward said test results showed the fly-half's shoulder injury had not improved.
"Jonny is definitely out. He was 99% out, now he's 99.9% out," Woodward said.
"Alex King, Paul Grayson, Mike Catt and Ollie Barkley are all in the mix. It's a great opportunity for one of them."
Wilkinson has not been able to shake off neck and shoulder problems since returning from the World Cup and had to be substituted in his first game back for Newcastle in December.
The 24-year-old has admitted he does not know when he will return, but he is hopeful of taking some part in the Six Nations.
England will also be without Stuart Abbott, Mike Tindall, Charlie Hodgson, Lewis Moody and Julian White when they take on Italy in Rome.
Their second game, against Scotland at Murrayfield, takes place only six days later.
MMIX
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