Rugby: Leslie in doubt for tour to NZ

LONDON - Scotland rugby skipper John Leslie looks a doubtful starter for their tour of New Zealand later this year.

Leslie is recovering from an operation on the ankle injury sustained in the World Cup game against South Africa in October last year.

Despite returning to action briefly in the Six Nations championship and turning out twice for his club, Newcastle, former Otago second five-eighths Leslie was forced to undergo more treatment which could rule him out for the rest of the season.

Leslie will see his surgeon in a week before consulting club coach Rob Andrew and Scotland coach Ian McGeechan.

"It is quite a simple situation as far as the tour goes," Leslie said.

"If I am fit I will go, if I am not I won't and it is very much 50-50 at the moment.

"There is no thought of pulling out just to give myself the summer to recover."

Leslie said it would take six to eight weeks to make a full recovery, taking him perilously close to the June 1 Scotland departure date.

His absence would not only be a setback to McGeechan's chances of becoming the first Scottish coach to defeat the All Blacks, it would also be a blow for Leslie, who would be denied an eagerly awaited return to his homeland.

He said the desire to make his comeback against Italy in February was proving costly and he will not be repeating his mistake.

He said: "Maybe I wasn't quite at the right level when I came back."