Jonny Wilkinson will enter retirement bearing the ultimate tribute from England head coach Stuart Lancaster who believes the World Cup winner's influence has changed the face of the game.
Wilkinson's remarkable 17-year professional career is just two matches away from its conclusion after he announced he will hang up his boots at the end of the season.
The 34-year-old, arguably the sport's biggest star, will bow out with Toulon's Heineken Cup final against Saracens on Saturday and the Top 14 final against Castres the following weekend.
Lancaster believes Wilkinson's impact on the sport has been vast, highlighting the extraordinary level of dedication shown by the former England fly-half and captain.
"I've never had the privilege to coach Jonny but he will get a huge number of plaudits and rightly so," Lancaster said on Monday.
"He has changed the way the game has been played, but more importantly changed the way in which people prepare to play the game.
"The detail and preparation he did off the field made him the complete player.
"His influence on so many rugby players across the world in that respect is phenomenal.
"I can't actually think of a player in rugby who would have had the same impact on the sport as him."
Wilkinson's imminent retirement had been widely anticipated and the news was confirmed on Toulon's website on Monday morning.
"It goes without saying that I have an enormous number of people to thank for their support from all around the world, but especially here in France and in England," said Wilkinson, who is 35 on Sunday.
"This, however, is not at all the time to be concentrating on this as I would like to focus all my attention and energy on the team and these final two games of the season.
"I sincerely thank you all for everything you have given me and for making these last 17 years something I will never forget."
Wilkinson bows out as one of only five players to have scored 1000 international points, with his haul of 1,246 second only to New Zealand great Dan Carter.
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