What will that drop goal be worth to Wilkinson?

IT IS not the most glamorous place from which to shape sport's newest global brand, but Jonny Wilkinson's future was being decided yesterday in a small office in Leamington Spa.

By mid- afternoon, Wilkinson's agent, Tim Buttimore, was fielding so many calls - endorsement opportunities, media requests, offers to buy his company - that his mobile battery was going flat. "The response has been phenomenal and very gratifying," says Buttimore.

"But it doesn't change the strategy for Jonny. Playing and training must come first, with commercial activity way behind."