Beckham hails World Cup winners

England football captain David Beckham telephoned World Cup-winning hero Jonny Wilkinson on Sunday to offer his personal congratulations.

The pair struck up a friendship while filming a commercial together and Beckham was delighted for Wilkinson, who scored the match-winning drop-goal in the second period of extra-time to see off Australia 20-17.

The Real Madrid star told Sky Sports: “I spoke to Jonny today, he was just about to go to bed because he had been at a function.

“He is happy obviously – but all the other players have been amazing too. To win the World Cup, you could see what it meant to them.

“I watched the match on tape after I got back from training but I already knew the score. One of my friends was in the crowd and he rang me and held up his phone when England picked up the cup so I could hear.”