Palace a home-from-home for Wilkinson

Buckingham Palace is becoming familiar territory for Jonny Wilkinson with two visits in the last month now to be followed by a third trip to pick up an OBE.

The Newcastle Falcons fly-half was among 35 players and coaches of the England World Cup-winning rugby squad to be recognised in the New Year’s Honours List, with head coach Clive Woodward receiving a knighthood.