English Rugby
Wood rules himself out of England tour
ESPNscrum Staff
April 27, 2012
England's Tom Wood grips the Six Nations trophy, Six Nations launch, Hurlingham Club, London, January 25, 2012
Tom Wood failed to feature for England during the Six Nations © Getty Images
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England will be without Tom Wood for their tour of South Africa after the flanker ruled himself out of contention for a spot on the plane.

The flanker missed the entire Six Nations with a foot injury and having barely featured for his club the Northampton Saints this season, Wood has opted to stay in England in a bid to get fully fit ahead of next season.

Wood was one candidate for the England captaincy at the start of the Stuart Lancaster era but Chris Robshaw was handed the honour for the Six Nations. And with just five games to his name this season for the Saints, Wood will use the summer to recharge his batteries for next year.

"I have spoken to Stuart Lancaster," Wood told BBC Radio Northampton. "Having not played any rugby in the tail end of the season and not being fit to put my best foot forward for the Saints I can't go on that tour with any run of form or fitness.

"So I don't think that's a wise move at this stage and the lads have been going very well without me so I wish them the best of luck."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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