Interim England head coach Stuart Lancaster and World Cup-winner Sir Clive Woodward have led the tributes to Jonny Wilkinson.
England coaches past and present praise World Cup winner
Interim England head coach Stuart Lancaster has led the tributes to Jonny Wilkinson after the World Cup winner announced his retirement from international rugby.
Wilkinson has decided to focus on his club career at Toulon after making 91 appearances for England and starring in four World Cups.
Wilkinson also made six appearances for the British and Irish Lions, scoring a total of 1,246 points during a 13-year career on the international stage.
However the highlight of Wilkinson's distinguished career came in 2003 when he landed the extra-time drop-goal that won the World Cup.
Model sportsman
And Lancaster, who has taken over the reins on a temporary basis following Martin Johnson's departure, said: "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.
"He will, of course, be remembered for that drop-goal but he is more than that, a model sportsman - down to earth and hardworking, 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."
Sir Clive Woodward, who led Wilkinson and England to World Cup glory, told
Sky Sports News: "He was a marvellous team man.
"He set out to be the number one player in the world in his position but behind that his team ethic was fantastic and he was a real role model for that.
"He just put everything into his game in terms of off the field - he left nothing to chance.
"I admired how he went about his business and how much work he did when no-one was around. He did a lot on his own, studied and learned the game.
"It's a lesson to any young person about what has to happen. He took his game to a whole new level."
Asked to recall the World Cup triumph, Woodward added: "We had great indidivuals, some of the world's best players, in that team and Jonny was right up there in the world.
"He was the number one player in the world at that time, no coach would not have wanted him in their team.
"But he was a great team player and wouldn't do anything to sarcifice anything for the team. That's where you trusted him totally.
Lewis Moody, who played alongside Wilkinson in the World Cup-winning team, also praised the contribution the former Newcastle fly-half gave to the sport despite feeling he could have carried on for a few more years.
The former England captain said: "I'm humbled to have played alongside Jonny.
"I'm saddened but his contribution over the years, his work ethic, professionalism and commitment, has been immense.
Incredible
"He put everything into what he did. It was incredible to watch him train and perform. The fact he missed four years of international rugby but still amassed 97 caps is unimaginable.
"It's a real shame he's decided to retire but what he's given to the sport, and a generation, is immense.
"If he puts his mind to it he could keep doing it - and I think he could have given more.
"But for him the decision is right and considering the amount of work he's put in and the number of injuries he's had in his career, he deserves to enjoy a long and restful retirement."
Kyran Bracken, another of Wilkinson's former international team-mates, suggested that the decision may not be a permanent one.
While accepting that Lancaster may initially wish to look at younger talent, Bracken believes Wilkinson may yet play for his country again.
"I believe he has many years left if he wanted to," he told
BBC Radio Five Live.
"I imagine the new regime might want to do without him for a while...but I think he has three or four years ahead of him, enjoying himself in France.
"I wouldn't be surprised if, come the next World Cup, a phone call comes in for him. I wouldn't be surprised if Jonny Wilkinson put on an England shirt again."
