Johnson rules out Lions tour

Former England and British Lions captain Martin Johnson will definitely not be going on tour to New Zealand with the Lions this summer.

Johnson, who was capped 84 times by England and went on three tours with the Lions - including twice as captain - is set to announce that he will be involved in a testimonial game at Twickenham on the day that the Lions play their first game of their 11-match New Zealand tour.

The 34-year-old World Cup winner, who retired from international rugby last January, will be involved in a game against a Jonah Lomu XV as part of his testimonial year on June 4 - the same day the Lions play against Bay Of Plenty in Rotorua.

Stuart Henry, a member of Johnson's testimonial committee said: "It can be taken as a fair assumption that Martin's involvement in the Twickenham fixture will mean he will not be going on the British Lions tour."