Jonny Wilkinson's career – in pictures

Jonny Wilkinson turned professional for the Newcastle Falcons in 1998 after being spotted at Lord Wandsworth College in Surrey by Steve Bates Photograph: David Rogers/Getty Images

Wilkinson made his international debut later that year, in the infamous Tour of Hell, including England's terrible 76-0 defeat at the hands of Australia Photograph: David Rogers/Getty Images

1999 The next year, Wilkinson made his World Cup debut against Italy. He scored 32 points during England's 67-7 rout Photograph: Gerry Perry/AFP/Getty Images

2000 Wilkinson helps England win the Six Nations. Despite looking set to make the Grand Slam, a defeat at the hands of Scotland in the final match left England disappointed Photograph: David Rogers/Getty Images

2001 Wilkinson makes his debut for the British and Irish Lions Photograph: David Rogers/Getty Images

In November the same year, facing Australia in the Cook Cup at Twickenham, Wilkinson scored every one of England's 21 points to seal victory Photograph: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

2002 The last Test against South Africa saw England beat all of the big three rugby nations on consecutive weekends. Unfortunately, Wilkinson finished the match injured with a dislocated shoulder Photograph: David Rogers/Getty Images

2003 Jonny Wilkinson makes his debut as England captain in the Six Nations match against Italy Photograph: Richard Heathcote/Action Images

The iconic moment of his career comes in the dying minutes of the World Cup final of that year as he scores a last-minute drop goal against Australia to give England their first World Cup win Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Tom Jenkins

A momentous occasion for English rugby sees Wilkinson become a household name Photograph: Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images

In December of that year, the public vote him BBC Sports Personality of the Year Photograph: David Rogers/Getty Images

2005 A string of injuries blighted Wilkinson's career for two years. After injuring his medial knee ligament in a Newcastle Falcons match against Perpignan, he suffered a panic attack on the sidelines Photograph: Raymond Roig/AFP/Getty Images

In May of that year, he made his first international appearance since the 2003 World Cup at the British and Irish Lions match against Argentina Photograph: David Rogers/Getty Images

2006 During the Guiness Premiership match against Worcester Warriors, Wilkinson injures his medial knee ligament once again Photograph: Michael Steele/Getty Images

He returned later that year to play Bristol. While he completed the match, it was later revealed that he lacerated a kidney during play Photograph: Matthew Lewis/Getty Images

2007 Wilkinson's England team mount a spirited defence of their World Cup title, scoring a breathtaking 40-yard drop goal in the last minutes of their semi-final match against France. Unfortunately England lost to South Africa 15-6 in the final Photograph: Patrick Aventurier/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

2008 The Six Nations match against Italy sees Wilkinson become the first English player to score 1000 Test points Photograph: David Rogers/Getty Images

2009 After spending his entire career so far at Newcastle Falcons, Wilkinson signed with French side Toulon Photograph: Gerard Julien/AFP/Getty Images

2011 Wilkinson retires from International rugby after the World Cup. He left as the record holder for World Cup points scored, with a total of 277 Photograph: David Rogers/Getty Images

2013 Wilkinson's Toulon side win the Heineken Cup. A tense final saw Toulon beat Clermont 16-15 Photograph: Stu Forster/Getty Images