Barkley to have wrist operation

Olly Barkley will undergo an operation on his fractured left wrist on Friday and could be out for up to eight weeks.

The 26-year-old Gloucester centre picked up the injury during England's ill-fated summer tour to New Zealand.

"Olly requires this surgery to give him the best chance of being fit for the start of the Premiership season," said Gloucester head coach Dean Ryan.

"He is a tremendous talent and a great asset, so we need to get the injury cleared up as soon as possible."

606: DEBATE
Your thoughts on Berkley's inclusion in England's elite squad
Barkley suffered the injury after replacing Toby Flood at fly-half during the second of England's two defeats to New Zealand.

Despite the injury, the former Bath player was named in Martin Johnson's 32-strong England elite player squad on Tuesday.

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