Retiring Wilkinson relies on ‘gut feeling’

Jonny Wilkinson says he has gone with his "gut feeling" in deciding to call time on one of the most celebrated careers in rugby union history.

Wilkinson, 35 next Sunday, will bow out of the game he graced for England, the Lions, Newcastle and latterly Toulon in the French Top 14 final against Castres on May 31.

Before then, he faces a Heineken Cup final appointment with Saracens at the Millennium Stadium as the curtain falls on a remarkable career that saw him win the World Cup during a 91-cap England career, play in six Irish Lions Tests and land domestic and European honours.