Johnny Wilkinson

[Keith Oates]

He has just announced that he is retiring from International Rugby. He was a great player for England in his day but at the last World Cup his 'sell by date' was beginning to show so he's made the correct decision!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Aperitif]

Good luck to him. Toulon might have wanted him to hang around a bit longer on the international scene - just to give their club whatever 'cachet' was available, but he has suffered some long-term injuries and pro players are not getting smaller...or slower.

Today's Guardian photo tribute.

 

[byegad]

When fit he was unbeatable, sadly he has had many more injuries than you'd expect from a top class player. Not his fault, I suspect, just the way he's made.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

He will want to earn a few more bob as a club player without risking injury at the highest levels of the game. Good luck to him; he has been a fabulous servant to England Rugby.