Jonny Wilkinson, whose drop-goal clinched England’s 2003 World Cup win, has announced he will retire at the end of the season.
The 34-year-old fly-half, who will turn 35 the day after Toulon’s Heineken Cup final against Saracens on Saturday, has long been expected to call time on his glittering career.
“I would like to take this opportunity to formally announce my retirement from playing rugby,” he said.
“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.
Wilkinson’s drop-goal won England the 2003 World Cup in Sydney
“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.”
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English fly-half Jonny Wilkinson (C) cel
SYDNEY, Australia: English fly-half Jonny Wilkinson (C) celebrates after his last drop during the Rugby World Cup 2003 final between Australia and England at the Olympic Park Stadium in Sydney, 22 November 2003. England beat Australia 17-20. AFP PHOTO/Greg WOOD (Photo credit should read GREG WOOD/AFP/Getty Images)
RUGBY-FRA-TOP14-TOULON-RACINGMETRO
RC Toulon’s British fly-half Jonny Wilkinson (R) celebrates with teammate after winning the French Top 14 rugby union playoff match between RC Toulon and Racing Metro 92, at the Pierre Mauroy stadium in Lille, northern France, on May 16, 2014. AFP PHOTO / FRANCOIS LO PRESTI (Photo credit should read FRANCOIS LO PRESTI/AFP/Getty Images)
RUGBY-FRA-TOP14-TOULON-RACINGMETRO
RC Toulon’s British fly-half Jonny Wilkinson celebrates with teammate after winning the French Top 14 rugby union playoff match between RC Toulon and Racing Metro 92, at the Pierre Mauroy stadium in Lille, northern France, on May 16, 2014. AFP PHOTO / FRANCOIS LO PRESTI (Photo credit should read FRANCOIS LO PRESTI/AFP/Getty Images)
RUGBYU-FRA-TOP14-TOULON-TOULOUSE
Toulon’s Jonny Wilkinson (C) celebrates with teammates after winning the French Top 14 semifinal rugby union match Toulon vs Toulouse on May 24, 2013 at the Beaujoire stadium in Nantes, western France. AFP PHOTO JEAN-SEBASTIEN EVRARD (Photo credit should read JEAN-SEBASTIEN EVRARD/AFP/Getty Images)
RUGBYU-FRA-TOP14-TOULON-TOULOUSE
Toulon’s Jonny Wilkinson (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring a penalty during the French Top 14 semifinal rugby union match Toulon vs Toulouse on May 24, 2013 at the Beaujoire stadium in Nantes, western France. AFP PHOTO JEAN-SEBASTIEN EVRARD (Photo credit should read JEAN-SEBASTIEN EVRARD/AFP/Getty Images)
ASM Clermont Auvergne v RC Toulon – Heineken Cup Final
DUBLIN, IRELAND – MAY 18: Jonny Wilkinson, the Toulon Captain celebrates after his team’s victory at the end of the Heineken Cup final match between ASM Clermont Auvergne and RC Toulon at the Aviva Stadium on May 18, 2013 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
ASM Clermont Auvergne v Toulon – Heineken Cup Final
DUBLIN, IRELAND – MAY 18: Jonny Wilkinson, the Toulon Captain celebrates after his team’s victory at the end of the Heineken Cup final match between ASM Clermont Auvergne and RC Toulon at the Aviva Stadium on May 18, 2013 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
ASM Clermont Auvergne v RC Toulon – Heineken Cup Final
DUBLIN, IRELAND – MAY 18: Jonny Wilkinson, the Toulon Captain celebrates after his team’s victory at the end of the Heineken Cup final match between ASM Clermont Auvergne and RC Toulon at the Aviva Stadium on May 18, 2013 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
ASM Clermont Auvergne v Toulon – Heineken Cup Final
DUBLIN, IRELAND – MAY 18: Jonny Wilkinson, the Toulon Captain celebrates after his team’s victory at the end of the Heineken Cup final match between ASM Clermont Auvergne and RC Toulon at the Aviva Stadium on May 18, 2013 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
ASM Clermont Auvergne v Toulon – Heineken Cup Final
DUBLIN, IRELAND – MAY 18: Jonny Wilkinson, the Toulon Captain celebrates after his team’s victory at the end of the Heineken Cup final match between ASM Clermont Auvergne and RC Toulon at the Aviva Stadium on May 18, 2013 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
ASM Clermont Auvergne v RC Toulon – Heineken Cup Final
DUBLIN, IRELAND – MAY 18: Jonny Wilkinson, the Toulon Captain celebrates after his team’s victory at the end of the Heineken Cup final match between ASM Clermont Auvergne and RC Toulon at the Aviva Stadium on May 18, 2013 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
ASM Clermont Auvergne v Toulon – Heineken Cup Final
DUBLIN, IRELAND – MAY 18: Jonny Wilkinson, the Toulon Captain celebrates after his team’s victory at the end of the Heineken Cup final match between ASM Clermont Auvergne and RC Toulon at the Aviva Stadium on May 18, 2013 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
RUGBYU-EUR-CLERMONT-TOULON-FINAL
Toulon’s captain Jonny Wilkinson celebrates after winning the European Cup rugby final rugby union match between Clermont Auvergne and Toulon at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on May 18, 2013. Toulon won 16-15. AFP PHOTO / FRANCK FIFE (Photo credit should read FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images)
ASM Clermont Auvergne v RC Toulon – Heineken Cup Final
DUBLIN, IRELAND – MAY 18: Jonny Wilkinson, the Toulon Captain celebrates after his team’s victory at the end of the Heineken Cup final match between ASM Clermont Auvergne and RC Toulon at the Aviva Stadium on May 18, 2013 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
RUGBYU-EUR-CLERMONT-TOULON-FINAL
Toulon’s captain Jonny Wilkinson celebrates after winning the European Cup rugby final rugby union match between Clermont Auvergne and Toulon at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on May 18, 2013. Toulon won 16-15. AFP PHOTO / FRANCK FIFE (Photo credit should read FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images)
Toulon v Leicester Tigers – Heineken Cup Quarter Final
TOULON, FRANCE – APRIL 07: Jonny Wilkinson, who kicked all of Toulon’s points celebrates their victory after the Heineken Cup quarter final match between Toulon and Leicester Tigers at Felix Mayol Stadium on April 7, 2013 in Toulon, France. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
Toulon v Leicester Tigers – Heineken Cup Quarter Final
TOULON, FRANCE – APRIL 07: Jonny Wilkinson who kicked all of Toulon’s points celebrates their victory after the Heineken Cup quarter final match between Toulon and Leicester Tigers at Felix Mayol Stadium on April 7, 2013 in Toulon, France. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
Toulon v Leicester Tigers – Heineken Cup Quarter Final
TOULON, FRANCE – APRIL 07: Jonny Wilkinson who kicked all of Toulon’s points celebrates their victory after the Heineken Cup quarter final match between Toulon and Leicester Tigers at Felix Mayol Stadium on April 7, 2013 in Toulon, France. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
Toulon v Leicester Tigers – Heineken Cup Quarter Final
TOULON, FRANCE – APRIL 07: Jonny Wilkinson who kicked all of Toulon’s points celebrates their victory after the Heineken Cup quarter final match between Toulon and Leicester Tigers at Felix Mayol Stadium on April 7, 2013 in Toulon, France. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
Toulon v Leicester Tigers – Heineken Cup Quarter Final
TOULON, FRANCE – APRIL 07: Jonny Wilkinson who kicked all of Toulon’s points celebrates their victory after the Heineken Cup quarter final match between Toulon and Leicester Tigers at Felix Mayol Stadium on April 7, 2013 in Toulon, France. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
RC Toulon’s head coach Bernard Laporte (
RC Toulon’s head coach Bernard Laporte (R) celebrates with flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson (L) after winning 15-12 the French Top 14 rugby union semi-final match vs Clermont, on June 3, 2012 at the municipal stadium in the French southwestern city of Toulouse. AFP PHOTO / REMY GABALDA (Photo credit should read REMY GABALDA/AFP/GettyImages)
Bath v Newcastle Falcons
BATH, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 11: Jonny Wilkinson, the Newcastle captain celebrates his teams win after final whistle in the Zurich Premiership match between Bath and Newcastle Falcons at the Recreation Ground, on September 11, 2004 in Bath, England. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
English prop Phil Vickery (Top) and Engl
SYDNEY, Australia: English prop Phil Vickery (Top) and English fly-half Jonny Wilkinson celebrate after England won the Rugby World Cup final at the Olympic Park Stadium in Sydney, 22 November 2003. England beat Australia 20-17. . AFP PHOTO/Greg WOOD (Photo credit should read GREG WOOD/AFP/Getty Images)
English fly-half Jonny Wilkinson (C) cel
SYDNEY, Australia: English fly-half Jonny Wilkinson (C) celebrates after the Rugby World Cup 2003 final between Australia and England at the Olympic Park Stadium in Sydney, 22 November 2003. England beat Australia 17-20. AFP PHOTO/Greg WOOD (Photo credit should read GREG WOOD/AFP/Getty Images)
English fly-half Jonny Wilkinson (C) cel
SYDNEY, Australia: English fly-half Jonny Wilkinson (C) celebrates after the Rugby World Cup 2003 final between Australia and England at the Olympic Park Stadium in Sydney, 22 November 2003. England beat Australia 17-20. AFP PHOTO/Greg WOOD (Photo credit should read GREG WOOD/AFP/Getty Images)
English fly-half Jonny Wilkinson celebra
SYDNEY, Australia: English fly-half Jonny Wilkinson celebrates after winning Rugby World Cup final at the Olympic Park Stadium in Sydney, 22 November 2003. England beat Australia 20-17. AFP PHOTO GREG WOOD (Photo credit should read GREG WOOD/AFP/Getty Images)
English captain and lock Martin Johnson
SYDNEY, Australia: English captain and lock Martin Johnson (R) and English fly-half Jonny Wilkinson celebrate after winning Rugby World Cup final at the Olympic Park Stadium in Sydney, 22 November 2003. England beat Australia 20-17. AFP PHOTO/Peter PARKS (Photo credit should read PETER PARKS/AFP/Getty Images)
English captain and lock Martin Johnson
SYDNEY, Australia: English captain and lock Martin Johnson (R) and English fly-half Jonny Wilkinson celebrate after winning Rugby World Cup final at the Olympic Park Stadium in Sydney, 22 November 2003. England beat Australia 20-17. AFP PHOTO GREG WOOD (Photo credit should read GREG WOOD/AFP/Getty Images)
English fly-half Jonny Wilkinson (C) cel
SYDNEY, Australia: English fly-half Jonny Wilkinson (C) celebrates after his last drop during the Rugby World Cup 2003 final between Australia and England at the Olympic Park Stadium in Sydney, 22 November 2003. England beat Australia 17-20. AFP PHOTO/Greg WOOD (Photo credit should read GREG WOOD/AFP/Getty Images)
English fly-half Jonny Wilkinson (L) and
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA: English fly-half Jonny Wilkinson (L) and English fly-half Mike Catt celebrate in the dressing room with the William Webb Ellis Cup after England’s win in the Rugby World Cup final between Australia and England at the Olympic Park Stadium in Sydney, 22 November 2003. AFP PHOTO/Getty Images (Photo credit should read DAVID ROGERS/AFP/Getty Images)
Jonny Wilkinson of England
WELLINGTON – JUNE 14: Jonny Wilkinson of England who kicked all of England’s points celebrates victory after the Rugby Union International match between New Zealand and England held on June 14, 2003 at The Westpac Stadium, in Wellington, New Zealand. England won the match 15-13. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
Jonny Wilkinson, the England standoff celebrates after winning the Grand Slam
DUBLIN – MARCH 30: Jonny Wilkinson, the England standoff celebrates after winning the Grand Slam in the RBS Rugby Union International match between Ireland and England at Lansdowne Road, Dublin, Ireland on March 30, 2003. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
Jonny Wilkinson, the England standoff celebrates after winning the Grand Slam
DUBLIN – MARCH 30: Jonny Wilkinson, the England standoff celebrates after winning the Grand Slam in the RBS Rugby Union International match between Ireland and England at Lansdowne Road, Dublin, Ireland on March 30, 2003. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
Matt Dawson, (left) the England scrumhalf celebrates with team mate Jonny Wilkinson after winning the Grand Slam
DUBLIN – MARCH 30: Matt Dawson, (left) the England scrumhalf celebrates with team mate Jonny Wilkinson after winning the Grand Slam in the RBS Rugby Union International match between Ireland and England at Lansdowne Road, Dublin, Ireland on March 30, 2003. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
Matt Dawson, Jonny Wilkinson and Dan Luger of England celebrate with the Six Nations Trophy
DUBLIN – MARCH 30: Matt Dawson, Jonny Wilkinson and Dan Luger of England celebrate with the Six Nations Trophy after the RBS Six Nations Championship match between Ireland and England held on March 30, 2003 at Lansdowne Road in Dublin, Ireland. England won the match 42 – 6 and the Grand Slam. (Photo By David Rogers/Getty Images)
England v AustraliaX
10 Nov 2001: Jonny Wilkinson of England celebrates after England ‘s victory in the Investec Challenge match between England and Australia at Twickenham. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Dave Rogers/ALLSPORT
England v AustraliaX
10 Nov 2001: Jonny Wilkinson of England celebrates after England ‘s victory in the Investec Challenge match between England and Australia at Twickenham. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Dave Rogers/ALLSPORT
Article source: http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/england-rugby-star-tom-wood-3540874
Jonny Wilkinson, England Rugby Hero, To Retire At End Of The Season
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