Jonny Wilkinson capped his match-winning performance when he was named yesterday as the International Rugby Board's (IRB) player of the year.

The England outhalf was a runaway winner of rugby's most prestigious prize as the newly-crowned world champions swept the major awards at the IRB's annual presentation dinner.

England were named as the team of the year while Clive Woodward won the coach of the year award but Wilkinson was still the name on everyone's lips.

"It's been a good year, definitely one to remember," Wilkinson told the audience.

"I've been through some tense times . . . part of the journey was completed last night but there's more games to come."

His English team-mate and hooker Steve Thompson was also nominated along with France number eight Imanol Harinordoquy, New Zealand flanker Richie McCaw and Australia flanker Phil Waugh. Wilkinson was a clear favourite to win the award even before his heroic effort in Saturday's final. He was named last week as the International Players' Association player of the year for the second season in a row.