Jonny Wilkinson told to 'take it easy', making British and Irish Lions call-up unlikely

The fly-half has undergone an 'operational injection'

The former Wales captain Jonathan Davies says taking Jonny Wilkinson on the British and Irish Lions tour would have been a backward step (Getty)

Toulon fly-half Jonny Wilkinson has been forced to “take it easy for a few weeks” because of a torn groin muscle.

The 34-year-old revealed he underwent an "operational injection" earlier this week and has been unable to train since.

The news makes any potential emergency call from the British and Irish Lions should coach Warren Gatland require injury cover seem unlikely.

Wilkinson told the Daily Mail: "I had to go in for a procedure on my groin on Monday that is going to keep me out for a couple of weeks. It is called an operational injection, a blood replacement injection, on a torn muscle I had in my left groin and upper part of my leg.

"It was impacting anything I was trying to do and I wasn't really able to train during the week.

"I'm a long way from being 100 per cent and the Lions are aware of that situation.

"I haven't myself spoken to Gatland but he's got more important and more immediate things to worry about. If that is the case (they need injury cover) then I would look forward to having any communication and there's a conversation that needs to be had. But it's on the unlikely side.

"If I do anything at the moment I will ruin my groin so I need to take it easy for a few weeks."

PA