Wilkinson steps off international stage

JONNY WILKINSON — the fly-half superstar and perfectionist who kicked England to World Cup glory — last night quit Test rugby with the revelation: “I will never truly be satisfied.”

Wilkinson has called time on an international career that harvested 91 England caps, six British and Irish Lions Test appearances and a total of 1,246 points.

The 32-year-old also played in four World Cups, including the 2003 campaign Down Under when his drop goal 17 seconds from the end of extra time in the final broke Australian hearts in Sydney.

Wilkinson’s obsessive eye for detail and a relentless work ethic assumed almost legendary status within the sport. And the former Newcastle number 10, who will continue playing for French club Toulon, also showed a never-say die attitude during his darkest days.

At one stage of his career post-2003 World Cup, Wilkinson played barely 15 hours’ competitive rugby in 18 months as a succession of injuries laid him low. But he kept bouncing back, underlining his status as arguably the most-celebrated England player in rugby history through numerous match-winning displays.