Wilkinson Seals Newcastle's Feel-good Week

Jonny Wilkinson has agreed a new two-year contract with Newcastle which will keep him with the club until the summer of 2010 - good news for the city which welcomed the return of Kevin Keegan last week.

"Keegan and Wilkinson: it does not get much bigger than that if you are a sports fan in this region," said the Newcastle director of rugby, John Fletcher. "Jonny is the biggest name in rugby and, in my opinion, he is still the best player in the world."

Wilkinson's future at Kingston Park, where he has spent his entire senior career since joining the club in 1997, was the subject of speculation last month after the abrupt departure of the Falcons' conditioning coach, and the outside-half's mentor, Steve Black, who is now running his own consultancy business in the city.

"I am delighted that Jonny is staying with Newcastle," said Black. "My leaving was never going to have an impact on his future. I still see him every day and we will always continue to work closely together. The club means a huge amount to him and I believe that success is not far away."

He added: "John Fletcher has a great future in the game. He is a balanced guy and Newcastle have a lovely blend of youth and experience. There are few better teams to watch in the country and Jonny re-signing will have a positive influence. He is one of those players who have the X-factor, lifting others by his mere presence. He has a galvanizing effect and makes others feel good about themselves, as we saw in the last World Cup."

The deal with Wilkinson, who is nine points shy of 2,000 for the club having made 163 appearances, is believed to be worth more than £500,000 but Newcastle will recoup some 60% of that from the Rugby Football Union when the deal with the Premiership clubs over the management of elite players comes into effect at the beginning of July.

"The fact that Jonny is staying sends out a message not only that Newcastle is close to his heart but the direction in which the club is heading," said Fletcher. "He is an incredible sportsman, a fine character and a tremendous ambassador for the club and the region. This is where he believes he can fulfill his rugby ambitions and help the team reach its collective goals."

Wilkinson's fly-half rival on the 2005 Lions tour to New Zealand, Stephen Jones, is considering leaving Llanelli Scarlets at the end of the season. He has been linked with Biarritz and Leicester but the French club's president, Marcel Martin, last night denied that contact had been made with the 30-year-old. "That situation will not change," he added.