England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson retires from the international game after 91 Tests for his country. Mail on Sunday rugby reporter Sam Peters tells Channel 4 News “it’s completely out of the blue”.
The 32-year-old became a household name when he kicked the winning drop-goal in the 2003 World Cup final.
He said the move filled him “with great sadness” but that he felt “blessed” to have experienced so much with the England rugby team.
Sam Peters, rugby reporter for the Mail on Sunday, told Channel 4 News “no-one saw this coming”.
He said: “But actually I think it’s the right decision. He’s had an extraordinary run of injuries. He’s looked a shadow of the player he was in years gone by.
“He will undoubtedly go down as one of the greatest England players… one of the greatest rugby players ever.
“He was held in awe by his teammates, the public and his coaches.”
Wilkinson appeared at four world cups and five starts at the most recent tournament in New Zealand. In total, he has accumulated 1,246 Test points, including 1,179 for England, and has a world best of 36 dropped goals.
“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,” said Wilkinson.
“But by now I know myself well enough to know that I will never truly be satisfied.”
Wilkinson debuted at age of 18 and shot to international sporting acclaim when he secured England’s win over Australia in the 2003 Rugby World Cup final in Sydney by kicking the injury time drop goal.
England Interim Head Coach Stuart Lancaster paid tribute to “one of England’s greatest players.”
He said he would be remembered for “that drop goal”, but added: “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.”