Dally facing summer KO.

ENGLAND captain Lawrence Dallaglio is on the verge of missing the summer tour Down Under because of a severe shoulder injury.

He has been told that unless he rests completely, the problem could become chronic and require an operation that might put him out of the World Cup in 18 months.

And forwards coach John Mitchell is so depressed at the prospect of more players dropping out that he may decide not to go either.

Dallaglio is so passionate about his job as England captain he refuses to take the decision himself. Instead, he wants national coach Clive Woodward to make a ruling.

Said Dallaglio: "I have made myself available for the tour because I would dearly love to go and captain the side out there. But I have made Clive aware there is a problem caused by tackling.

"It has to be absolutely spot-on and some of the tackling going on in this country now is as ferocious as you will see in any part of the world.

"You can see from my recent performances that I have just got by which is not enough for me.

"If I was playing for Bath or Leicester with little else to achieve I would rest until the end of the season. But we still have a relegation fight and a cup final against Saracens before I even think about the summer tour."

Mike Catt and Tony Underwood have already dropped out through injury while reserve hooker Dorian West broke his jaw at Leicester on Saturday and has virtually no chance.

Mitchell, the Kiwi who turned England's pack into a Mean Machine, admits: "If it means you are going to be banging your head against a brick wall you have to consider your priorities.

"New Zealand is not the place to take a development team. We have to be at full strength."

Martin Johnson led the Lions to glory in South Africa but he too has been told he needs another operation on an injured groin, while Jason Leonard is struggling to hold his place.

Ex-skipper Phil de Glanville was ready to drop out for domestic reasons but may be persuaded to lead the tour.