JONNY WILKINSON, probably the most valuable rugby player in the world, last night ended speculation about his future by agreeing in principle to a two-year extension to his contract with Newcastle. In what will be a huge boost to the club, given its predicament, Wilkinson, 23, has committed himself to Newcastle, even though they are bottom of the Zurich Premiership and in danger of relegation this season.

The England fly half does have a get-out clause written in to the contract that allows him to leave after one year in the event that Newcastle go down and do not immediately return to the Premiership. He is expected to sign the deal after Easter.

Phil Wilkinson, Jonny’s father, said last night: “Jonny is very comfortable with the deal. We didn’t want this to run and run and develop into a rat race with speculation every day about what Jonny might be doing. He has a great loyalty to the club and his intention has always been to help them out of relegation trouble. If they go down, he’ll stay for at least a year and hopefully help them to come straight back up. There are a few i’s to be dotted and t’s to be crossed, but the contract should be in place and signed next week.” Wilkinson Sr would not divulge the value of the contract, but his son’s stature in the game would surely ensure he is the best paid player in Britain, able to command a sum in excess of £250,000 a year.

Talks over Wilkinson’s future have been on-going since October but reached a crucial stage last week after England’s grand-slam triumph in the RBS Six Nations Championship and with Leicester known to be watching developments closely. Simon Cohen, his lawyer, conducted the negotiations with Rob Andrew, Newcastle’s director of rugby, and David Thompson, the club’s owner.

Wilkinson made his first-class debut in January 1998, two months before becoming the youngest England player for 71 years. He has won 43 caps and scored 661 points.

With three league games remaining, Newcastle have 31 points, the same as Bristol Shoguns and London Irish. Only one point separates the bottom five clubs.