Farewell to the man who kicked us to the World Cup... Wilkinson calls time on England career

By Sportsmail Reporter

Jonny Wilkinson has played his last game for England after retiring from internationals.

The legendary World Cup winner - who kicked England to glory in Australia in 2003 - has decided to bring down the curtain on his glittering career with his country.

In a lengthy post on his official website, Wilkinson revealed the time had come to walk away from England duty. He wrote: 'I would like to take this opportunity to announce my retirement from international rugby.

Walking away: Jonny Wilkinson - the man who kicked England to World Cup glory in 2003 - has retired from international action

'To do so fills me with great sadness but I know that I have been blessed in so many ways to have experienced what I have with the England rugby team.

'I never ever believed that I would be able to give up on this dream which has driven me to live, breathe, love and embrace the game of rugby from the earliest days that I can remember.

End of the road: Wilkinson's played his last international game against France as England limped out of the World Cup in New Zealand

'I certainly have no intention of letting this decision change the way that I approach my training and preparation for games. In fact early indication shows me that I'm actually getting more intense about it. Playing the game, representing the team, giving my all and never letting go has meant everything to me.

'I do, have done and always will believe that I am very capable of performing and thriving at any level of the sport.

Golden boy: Wilkinson, with Mike Catt (R), became the nation's darling after he inspired Clive Woodward's England to the Webb Ellis trophy eight years ago in Australia

'The time has come, however, for me to realise that I have gone as far as I can go with this England team and that the time is right for others to enjoy the same honour and pride that I have felt over the past 15 seasons and beyond.

'I have far too many people to thank for what I have been able to achieve but as always, it starts with my Mum and Dad, my brother Mark, my girlfriend Shelley, Steve Black, Tim Buttimore and Dave Alred as well as the rest of my family and friends.

Kicking king: Wilkinson's famous last minute drop kick memorably earned England the World Cup against Australia

'I can never give enough credit to all my team mates from over the years and my physios, surgeons, doctors and coaches too who have unconditionally helped me through all kinds of thick and thin.

'Finally I would like to show my enormous appreciation and gratitude to all the true followers of the game who have given me way, way more time and support than it has ever been reasonable for one person to ask for. You will never truly understand the effect you have all had on me and my career.

Never forget: Wilkinson soaks up the adulation from England supporters after the unforgettable night in Sydney

'To say I have played through four World Cups, two Lions tours, 91 international games and a ridiculous number of injuries and other set backs gives me an incredibly special feeling of fulfilment. But by now I know myself well enough to know that I will never truly be satisfied!

'It goes without saying that I would like to wish Stuart Lancaster, his coaches and the England Squad every bit of success available to them.

Standing out: Wilkinson proudly represented the British and Irish Lions on two tours

'I would also very much like to extend those wishes to Martin Johnson, Brian Smith, Mike Ford, John Wells, Graham Rowntree and the rest of the England 2011 World cup management team who have been fantastic and deserve people to know that.

'For me now, I will continue to focus ever harder on my goal of being the very best I can be with Toulon Rugby Club and continue to embrace and enjoy wherever that path takes me.'

Wilkinson will continue to play club rugby at his French side Toulon, where he has impressed since ending his 12-year stint with Newcastle.

Medal man: Wilkinson was unlucky not to pick up a second World Cup win after England lost the final in Paris to South Africa in 2007

And the fly-half favourite retires with his head held high despite being part of the England squad that flopped in the recent World Cup in New Zealand.

The Surrey-born star made his international debut at the tender age of 18 against Ireland at Twickenham in April 1998.

A year later he had established himself as a key member of England's team at the Six Nations and he played in the World Cup on home soil that year when England went out to South Africa in the quarter-finals.

Among the greats: Wilkinson goes down as one of England's greatest rugby players of all-time

But it was in 2003 that he became a hero of the nation by starring at the World Cup in Australia.

After helping secure a quarter-final spot, he scored 23 points against Wales in the 28–17 win before kicking all the points in the 24–7 victory over France.

In the famous final, Wilkinson unforgettably kicked a drop goal in extra time against the host nation to earn England the 20-17 win.

VIDEO: Jonny Wilkinson kicks England to World Cup glory over Australia in 2003

Wilkinson won the Six Nations on four occasions - 2000, 2001, 2003 and 2011 - and represented the British & Irish Lions on four separate tours.

Stuart Lancaster, who was appointed last week as England's interim head coach for the RBS 6 Nations Championship that starts in February, paid a glowing tribute to Wilkinson.

'Jonny has had a fantastic international career which has spanned four World Cups and 91 caps, and ranks as one of England's greatest ever players,' Lancaster said.

Honour: Wilkinson was awarded an MBE in 2003

The vital statistics

England caps: 91

British and Irish Lions caps: 6

World Cup finals: 2

World Cup wins: 1

Test victories: 67

Total Test points: 1,246

Test tries: 7

Test conversions: 169

Test penalties: 255

Test drop goals: 36

Six Nations titles: 4 (2000, 2001, 2003, 2011)

Grand Slams: 1 (2003)

'He will, of course, be remembered for that drop-goal. But he is more than that, a model sportsman - down to earth and hard-working - who has never stopped trying to be the best that he can.

'Everyone who has played with, coached and watched Jonny play should feel privileged to have had an involvement with him.

'Not only has he been a world-class player, but he has inspired thousands to play and watch the game of rugby.

'He will continue to do great things with Toulon, and I would like to go and see him in France to learn from his vast knowledge and experience of 13 years at the very top of the international game.'

Former England team-mate Ugo Monye hailed Wilkinson as 'a total legend, on and off the pitch'.

'He's an unbelievable ambassador, he's a guy who I thought was never going to retire,' Monye told Sky Sports News. 'He's the most professional sportsman I've ever worked with.

'It's the mindset. I went to school with Johnny. The way he trained then as a 16-year-old is just how he trains now.'

Monye added: 'You probably wouldn't' find a prouder Englishman, he absolutely loved playing for his country. For him to hang up his boots and watch from a distance is obviously going to be frustrating.

'The class of 2003 was pretty special, but he's one of the best names up there.



'He's a total legend on and off the pitch, always got time for everyone. He'll be remembered for a lot of good reasons.'



Jonny Wilkinson factfile: The glittering international career of an England legend

Young Lion: Wilkinson made his England debut in 1998 1979: Born Frimley, Surrey, May 25.

1997: Beginning his career with Newcastle, Wilkinson plays for England Under 21s as they beat New Zealand, France and Wales.

1998: Named as substitute for England versus Scotland in Five Nations match against Scotland at Murrayfield at age of 18 years and 301 days. April - Makes England debut against Ireland, coming off the bench at Twickenham.

1999: February - Makes first start for England at age of 19 in Five Nations against Scotland and kicks four goals as England win Calcutta Cup match 24-21. Claims Six Nations individual tournament record with 35 points in England's 80-23 thrashing of Italy. November - Scores all 21 points as England beat Australia at Twickenham.

2002: May - Suffers ankle ligament damage in Newcastle's defeat by Gloucester, ruling him out for the rest of the season.

2002: December - Awarded an MBE in the Queen's New Year Honours List.

2003: February/March - Scores 77 points as England clinch Six Nations Grand Slam, finishing as the competition's top scorer.

2003: November - Wilkinson's drop-goal deep into extra-time earns England a 20-17 victory over Australia in the World Cup final at Sydney. Also contributed four penalties, the pass to set up England's try from Jason Robinson, accurate kicking out of hand, and some crunching tackles. Wilkinson had earlier kicked all England's points in their 24-7 semi-final victory over France. December - Wins BBC Sports Personality of the Year award. Confirmed he will receive an OBE in the 2004 New Year Honours list.

Winners: England captain Johnson celebrates with Wilkinson after winning the 2003 World Cup 2004: February - Ruled out of Six Nations and three-Test tour to New Zealand and Australia after shoulder operation. August - Makes his comeback after eight months out in Newcastle's pre-season friendly against Connacht in Galway. October - Confirmed as Lawrence Dallaglio's successor as England captain for the three November Test matches, but later forced to pull out of the games due to a haematoma in the upper right arm.

2005: January - Suffers knee ligament damage in Newcastle's Heineken Cup defeat in Perpignan. March - Suffers medial ligament damage on Newcastle comeback against Harlequins. May - Late addition to the Lions squad for the tour of New Zealand. November - Has a major operation for related groin problems.

Hero status: Wilkinson's last-minute drop goal will go down in history 2006: January - Suffers a torn adductor muscle. April - Finishes the season with Newcastle, playing in Premiership games against Sale, Worcester and Leeds, plus Falcons' European Challenge Cup semi-final defeat to London Irish. August - Named in 41-man England elite player squad for the new international season. September - Forced off with knee ligament injury during Newcastle's home game against Worcester, effectively ending his hopes of playing in the autumn Tests.

2007: February - Makes a dream international comeback, scoring a Calcutta Cup record 27 points - including a full house of try, penalty, conversion and drop goal - as England romp to 42-20 victory over Scotland. Also becomes the leading points scorer in Five and Six Nations history with a third-minute penalty against Italy at Twickenham. June - Captains England in second Test of disastrous summer tour of South Africa. October - Kicks all of England's points as they beat Australia 12-10 in the World Cup quarter-finals. The match sees Wilkinson overtake Gavin Hastings as the World Cup's all-time leading points-scorer. Also kicks all of England's points in the final, but they lose 15-6 to South Africa.

2008: February - Becomes first player to pass 1,000 points for England in 23-19 victory over Italy. Overtakes Hugo Porta's world record with 29th drop goal in Tests as England win 24-13 in France. March - Overtakes Neil Jenkins as Test rugby's leading points-scorer in 15-9 defeat by Scotland. September - Suffers dislocated left kneecap during Newcastle's Premiership defeat at Gloucester. Ruled out for five months after surgery, missing England's 2009 Six Nations campaign.

2009: May - Joins French club Toulon. November - Recalled to the England Test line-up.

2010: March - Regains overall points total record in Six Nations, going past Ronan O 'Gara. June - Scores decisive points as England beat Australia in Sydney. October - Ruled out of England's autumn international programme with a shoulder injury. December - Signs new two-year contract extension with Toulon, keeping him with the French club through to 2013.

2011: September - Involved in ball-swapping controversy during World Cup win against Romania in New Zealand, which saw two members of England's backroom staff suspended. October 8 - After campaign marred by off-field problems, England are knocked out of World Cup by France in quarter-finals. Les Bleus won 19-12 in Auckland. December 12 - Announces retirement from international rugby.



