‘Gut instinct’ told Wilko it was time to go
England great and 2003 World Cup-winner says it’s time to retire and move into coaching role
Jonny Wilkinson said a "loud and pretty true gut feeling" told him it was the right time to bring down the curtain on a brilliant career.
For a player renowned for his methodical preparation and attention to detail, it seemed strange that an old-fashioned thing as "gut instinct" should be the spark for the England fly-half great's announcement.
But the 2003 World Cup-winner, 35 this Sunday, said he had been thinking of retiring for some time.
I have been thinking about it throughout the year, and now is the right time and right feeling
Now he has just two games left before he bows out of rugby union, with the outside-half trying to help Toulon retain the European Cup they won last season when they face Saracens in Saturday's final in Cardiff before their French Top 14 final clash with Castres on May 31.
"I have been thinking about it throughout the year, and now is the right time and right feeling," said Wilkinson.
"I also know that I want to get it completely out of the way so that we focus more than ever on these two games. It's a weight off my shoulders, to be honest.
"It has just been a gut feeling thing, and the gut feeling is loud and pretty true right now."
Wilkinson had long been tipped to retire at the end of this season but England's record points scorer, still only second on the all-time list to New Zealand No 10 Dan Carter, said he still felt nervous in walking away from the only job he had known.