Wilkinson damaged his knee in early January

England captain Wilkinson becomes the tour party's 45th member after playing three straight games for Newcastle since recovering from a knee injury.

Wilkinson has had a host of injuries and has not played international rugby since the victorious World Cup final in November 2003.

But Woodward left the Lions selection door open, subject to his fitness.

It makes me immensely proud to be going on this Tour after a tough season Jonny Wilkinson

Wilkinson had also been named in England's squad for the Churchill Cup in Canada next month, but he will now head for Auckland with the Lions on 25 May.

"When we announced the squad a number of players had to prove their fitness before inclusion in the tour party - this included Jonny," said Woodward, after Wilkinson kicked 11 points in Newcastle's 23-16 loss to Gloucester in the Zurich Wildcard semi-final.

McRae steals Wilkinson thunder

"I have been monitoring his progress over the past few weeks and have been impressed.

"He has come through it with typical determination and I am delighted that he is able to join the tour party when we assemble on 17 May.

"He has looked good physically and his appetite for the game has clearly not diminished.

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"With the likes of [Ronan] O'Gara, [Stephen] Jones and [Charlie] Hodgson, proven world-class players, and now Wilkinson, we have an incredibly strong group to draw on to face the challenges we will face in New Zealand."

Wilkinson, who embarks on his second Lions tour, said: "To be asked to go on a Lions tour is the ultimate honour.