Jonny Wilkinson, England's most globally renowned rugby player, on Monday night announced his retirement from the international game at the age of 32 after a 13-year career during which he won 91 caps for his country, accumulated 1,246 Tests points and most famously kicked the drop goal to win the 2003 World Cup final.
Wilkinson played in four World Cup campaigns and appeared in two finals. His drop goal in extra-time in 2003 clinched the title in Sydney against Australia and his goal-kicking helped the side to an unlikely appearance in the final four years later.
"To make this announcement fills me with great sadness, but I know I have been blessed in so many ways to have experienced what I have with the England rugby team," said Wilkinson, who announced his retirement from the international game on his website. "I have no intention of letting this decision change the way that I approach my training and preparation for games, but the time has come for me to realise that I have gone as far as I can go with this England team.
"To say I have played through four World Cups, two Lions tours, 91 international games and a ridiculous number of injuries and other setbacks gives me an incredibly special feeling of fulfilment. I know myself well enough to know that I will never truly be satisfied.
"I would like to wish the England squad every success. I would also very much like to extend those wishes to Martin Johnson, Brian Smith, Mike Ford, John Wells, Graham Rowntree and the rest of the England 2011 World Cup management team who have been fantastic and deserve people to know that."
But for a succession of injuries from the end of 2003, Wilkinson, who made his Test debut at the age of 18, would have overtaken Jason Leonard's record of 114 England caps. He did not appear in the Six Nations for three campaigns after the 2003 grand slam, and when he was named England's captain in the autumn of 2004, he was forced to pull out of the three November friendlies. It was not until 2007 that he was able to resume his England career, although he did tour New Zealand with the 2005 Lions.
He will continue to play for Toulon and his Test career was under threat anyway, not so much because of a disappointing World Cup campaign this year, for England and himself, but because of Twickenham's new policy of only considering foreign-based players for Test duty under exceptional circumstances.
Exceptional has been a word commonly associated with Wilkinson throughout his career. While some of his rivals had more natural talent, none matched his drive or work rate, but success never changed his character, something that could not be said of all of his colleagues in the World Cup campaign this year, and it was typical of him that his announcement contained a tribute to England's management on the ill-fated trip to New Zealand, a few weeks after most of them had been criticised by his fellow players in leaked reviews.
Lewis Moody, England's World Cup captain, led the tributes, saying: "I am humbled to have played alongside him. His contribution over the years, his work ethic, professionalism and commitment have been immense. It is a real shame he has decided to retire because he could have given even more."
