Jonny Wilkinson retires from international rugby
Jonny Wilkinson is to retire from international rugby with immediate effect.
The 32-year old retires after earning 91 caps for England and appearing at four World Cup tournaments.
Wilkinson made his debut against Ireland 13 years ago as a young 18-year old. He went onto score 1,246 test points for England and the Lions. He kicked 36 drop goals, the most famous of which secured the World Cup for England over Australia in 2003 winning 20-17 in extra time.
Wilkinson said: “To do so fills me with great sadness but I know that I have been blessed in so many ways to have experienced what I have with the England rugby team.
“It goes without saying that I would like to wish Stuart Lancaster, his coaches and the England Squad every bit of success available to them. I would also very much like to extend those wishes to Martin Johnson, Brian Smith, Mike Ford, John Wells, Graham Rowntree and the rest of the England 2011 World cup management team who have been fantastic and deserve people to know that.”
“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. But by now I know myself well enough to know that I will never truly be satisfied.”
