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Jonny Wilkinson announces he will retire at the end of the season Jonny Wilkinson announces he will retire at the end of the season
(35 minutes later)
Jonny Wilkinson has announced that he will retire at the end of the season. The fly-half, most famous for winning the 2003 World Cup for England with a drop goal, made the announcement on the website of his club, Toulon.Jonny Wilkinson has announced that he will retire at the end of the season. The fly-half, most famous for winning the 2003 World Cup for England with a drop goal, made the announcement on the website of his club, Toulon.
"I would like to take this opportunity to formally announce my retirement from playing rugby," said the 34-year-old, who will turn 35 on Sunday, the day after Toulon's Heineken Cup final against Saracens. "It goes without saying that I have an enormous number of people to thank for their support from all around the world but especially here in France and in England."I would like to take this opportunity to formally announce my retirement from playing rugby," said the 34-year-old, who will turn 35 on Sunday, the day after Toulon's Heineken Cup final against Saracens. "It goes without saying that I have an enormous number of people to thank for their support from all around the world but especially here in France and in England.
"This however is not at all the time to be concentrating on this as I would like to focus all my attention and energy on the team and these final two games of the season. "This however is not at all the time to be concentrating on this as I would like to focus all my attention and energy on the team and these final two games of the season. I sincerely thank you all for everything you have given me and for making these last 17 years something I will never forget."
"I sincerely thank you all for everything you have given me and for making these last 17 years something I will never forget." Wilkinson retires as one of five men to score 1,000 points in international rugby, with his total of 1,246 second to New Zealand's Dan Carter. Wilkinson made his debut for Newcastle in 1997 and stayed with them until 2009, winning the Tetley's Bitter Cup twice in that time. It was during his days with the Falcons that he came to the attention of the England coach at the time, Sir Clive Woodward.
Wilkinson retires as one of five men to score 1,000 points in international rugby, with his total of 1,246 second to New Zealand's Dan Carter.
Wilkinson made his debut for Newcastle in 1997 and stayed with them until 2009, winning the Tetley's Bitter Cup twice in that time. It was during his days with the Falcons that he came to the attention of the England coach at the time, Sir Clive Woodward.
Wilkinson made his international debut as an 18-year-old and, after a chastening experience on the 'Tour of Hell' to Australia, he won the 2000, 2001 and 2003 Six Nations, with those successes leading to Wilkinson's signature moment at the 2003 World Cup.Wilkinson made his international debut as an 18-year-old and, after a chastening experience on the 'Tour of Hell' to Australia, he won the 2000, 2001 and 2003 Six Nations, with those successes leading to Wilkinson's signature moment at the 2003 World Cup.
His metronomic boot kicked England to the final and then, against the hosts, Australia, he landed the most valuable three points of his life with a minute of extra-time left, earning his country a 20-17 victory. He ended the tournament with 113 points.His metronomic boot kicked England to the final and then, against the hosts, Australia, he landed the most valuable three points of his life with a minute of extra-time left, earning his country a 20-17 victory. He ended the tournament with 113 points.
Injuries – often caused by his no-holds-barred approach to tackling – would set in after that and he was never able to be as dominant a force as he once was in the national shirt, but he still played a key role in taking England to the 2007 World Cup final, while he won the Six Nations in 2011.Injuries – often caused by his no-holds-barred approach to tackling – would set in after that and he was never able to be as dominant a force as he once was in the national shirt, but he still played a key role in taking England to the 2007 World Cup final, while he won the Six Nations in 2011.
He retired from international rugby with 91 caps in December 2011, by which point he was already making a new career for himself in France. Well-known as a perfectionist, Wilkinson took his distinctive kicking style to Toulon in 2009 and immediately became the fulcrum of their side. He won the Heineken Cup with them last season and on Saturday can bow out with back-to-back victories in the competition.He retired from international rugby with 91 caps in December 2011, by which point he was already making a new career for himself in France. Well-known as a perfectionist, Wilkinson took his distinctive kicking style to Toulon in 2009 and immediately became the fulcrum of their side. He won the Heineken Cup with them last season and on Saturday can bow out with back-to-back victories in the competition.