SARACENS AND England scrum-half Richard Wigglesworth has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.

The 28-year-old underwent surgery yesterday after he injured his anterior cruciate ligament during the LV=Cup clash against Exeter Chiefs last Sunday.

Wigglesworth will miss the whole of next year’s Six Nations championship where England will be hoping to defend their title.

Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall said: “It’s a big blow for Wiggy who has been playing so well for Saracens and has worked so hard in the past 18 months to get himself back in the England side. In my opinion he was one of England’s standout players at the World Cup and it’s a shame he will miss the Six Nations.”

Tom Wood is one of a number of candidates from Northampton who could captain England, according to club coach Jim Mallinder. The 24-year-old backrow featured twice during the World Cup.

“It starts with how they perform at the club, not in what they say but what they do, and people wanting to follow them,” Mallinder said.

“Tom is one and Dylan (Hartley) another, and it’s good to have them talked about.”