Wilkinson extends Toulon stay by a year

World Cup winning fly-half Jonny Wilkinson has signed a one-year contract extension with Toulon, the French Top 14 club says on their internet site.

The news was widely expected after the 33-year-old former England No.10 told The Times newspaper last month that he would do so.

In that interview he admitted he had considered retiring as he suffered from a long-standing groin problem.

But having come successfully through surgery and having sought the advice of teammates such as former Wallaby Matt Giteau and France half-back Frederic Michalak, Wilkinson decided to carry on.

He joined the big-spending French outfit in 2009 following a 12-year spell with Newcastle Falcons, with whom he won the English Premiership in 1998.

Wilkinson started his career as a 17-year-old before going on to be regarded by many as England’s greatest ever fly-half.

He will be forever remembered for kicking the last-gasp, extra-time, match-winning drop goal in the 2003 World Cup final against hosts Australia.

He brought down the curtain on his international career following the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand after 91 caps and 1179 points.