Former England coach Sir Clive Woodward has claimed that Jonny Wilkinson would make a "fantastic" coach when he stops playing.
The Toulon fly-half, 34, confirmed on Monday that he will be retiring from professional rugby union at the end of the current season.
Following the announcement, Wilkinson admitted that he would be keen to go into coaching once his playing career ends.
"You often find that with superstar players. He was a complete sponge for knowledge," Woodward is quoted as saying by BBC Sport. "It is why he would make a fantastic coach if he chooses to go down that path. Imagine what it would be like for any young number 10 to have Jonny Wilkinson mentoring you."
Woodward coached Wilkinson and the rest of the England team during their successful 2003 World Cup campaign.