Jonny Wilkinson's influence on players is phenomenal, says Stuart Lancaster

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2014/may/19/stuart-lancaster-jonny-wilkinson-england-retire

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Perhaps the most thought-provoking tribute offered to the soon-to-retire Jonny Wilkinson came on Monday from a coach who never actually worked with him. Stuart Lancaster, the man in charge of England's future, reckons the 2003 World Cup-winning fly-half changed the entire game of rugby union, not necessarily by what he did on the field but by how meticulously he prepared off it.

If that sounds slightly less relevant than the avalanche of points he scored, the trophies he helped secure and the admirable code of sportsmanship to which he always stuck, Lancaster is absolutely spot-on. It was Wilkinson's example, as much as his deeds, which consistently set him apart and made him such a remarkable sporting figure.

Perhaps only Jonah Lomu and, possibly, Brian O'Driscoll have transcended rugby in the past two decades to quite the same degree. "For me he has changed the way the game has been played but, more importantly, changed the way in which people prepare to play the game," explained Lancaster. "His influence on so many rugby players across the world in that respect is phenomenal. I can't actually think of a rugby player who would have had the same impact on the sport as him."

The departing warrior – and frequently world-class worrier – is not quite finished yet, with Saturday's Heineken Cup final between Toulon and Saracens to come in Cardiff – he will be 35 the following day – and a French Top 14 final against Castres in Paris on Saturday week. It is not his habit to leave with a job unsatisfactorily done, as he has shown on countless occasions since his first appearance for Newcastle way back in 1997.

He subsequently rattled up 1,246 Test points, second only to New Zealand's Dan Carter, prior to announcing his international retirement after 91 caps for England. Most will remember him for his clench-palmed kicking and the extra-time drop goal that broke Australia's hearts in Sydney in 2003 but it was his defensive appetite, unprecedented for a fly-half at the time, which repeatedly staggered his peers.

In an era when pre-match preparation still involved a refreshing pint or three, he was personally never satisfied unless he felt he had done everything in his power to maximise his chances of performing to his best. "It was the detail and preparation he did off the field made him the complete player," added Lancaster. "I know from coaching players who have played in the same team as him that it has had such an influence. The amount of times people have said to me: 'I thought I was professional, I thought I prepared well, I thought I worked hard.' He raised the bar to a different level."

Such dedication, inevitably, came at a price. Rarely has a soul been more tortured for the sake of a mere oval-shaped ball. A litany of injuries did not help but, thankfully, his move to the warmer climes of the south of France has soothed both body and mind. It is a measure of how vastly admired he is across the Channel that Toulon's colourful owner, Mourad Boudjellal, has asked the French league authorities to retire his club's No10 jersey as a mark of respect. "He has brought magic to this club," said Boudjellal last month. "Those sort of guys are few and far between. I hope when Wilkinson is mentioned in future in the past tense that he will be recognised for his worth, which is colossal."

His value as an ambassadorial figure will keep him firmly in the public consciousness in the buildup to next year's Rugby World Cup in England but, interestingly, Lancaster would be happy to invite him into camp as a mentor, if that role ever appeals to Wilkinson in the future. "I wouldn't rule it out long-term, whether it was working with age-grade teams or certain individuals," said Lancaster. "I think it would be incredible what he could offer young players and senior players, too."

Once the next two demanding weekends are out of the way, Wilkinson will certainly have plenty to reflect upon. He has probably never played better than he did against New Zealand at Twickenham in 2002 but, inevitably, it was the 2003 World Cup final that earned him his indelible place in English sporting folklore. "I've seen the highlights and key moments but never sat down and watched the match," he admitted this season. "I've tried to preserve the quality of the memories I have, which are wrapped up in the feel, the senses, the smell, noises and atmosphere. I don't think there will be too much in the future that matches it for sheer intensity."

Whatever he does with the rest of his life, his country will be forever grateful.