RUGBY UNION: WILKO'S LIONS WARNING

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD has given Jonny Wilkinson an ultimatum - get fit for the Lions or spend the summer at home.

That is the stark reality of the new Lions regime under Woodward as he promises there will be no passengers on the six-week trip to New Zealand - World Cup hero or not.

The 48-year-old former England coach always insisted during his seven years in charge of the national team: If you're not fit, you don't play. Now the same rules apply to the British and Irish Lions ahead of their clash with the All Blacks next June.

After spending nearly a year out of the game with a neck and shoulder problem, only to be sidelined again with an arm injury, Wilkinson faces a very real fear that his Lions dream could be over before it begins.

Woodward said: "The biggest thing I've ever said to players during my seven years in charge of England is, 'You don't play when you're injured'.

"If Jonny is injured - and I've spoken to him and he's not quite right - he shouldn't be playing.

"You have to be fit. You have to pick people on form and people who are fully fit. I do believe in the team ethic and you do need 15 fit players.

"That's what I fully intend to change, because you can't carry anybody in any circumstances.

"Obviously I wish Jonny well, but my message to him is don't play until you're right and that is what he has taken on board. He's not playing at the moment and that is the correct thing."

Woodward has virtually signalled the end of the Lions road for Martin Johnson, Lawrence Dallaglio and Neil Back, who have given up the international game yet still ply their trade on the domestic scene.

Woodward added: "I want the players turning out for their countries to know they are playing for their Lions places."

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