Jonny cash

JONNY CASH

ENGLAND golden boy Jonny Wilkinson kicked his way to a EUR28million fortune yesterday.

Estimates of Jonny's earnings before England's 20 -17 World Cup victory over Australia were around pounds 2.5million a year, which included the pounds 350,000 he earns from rugby.

But yesterday's triumph has propelled him and his team- mates to international stardom - and a huge cash bonanza.

Jonny, 24, already appears alongside England football captain David Beckham in an Adidas TV advert and he has struck lucrative deals with Mercedes, British Airways, Lucozade, Tetley's beer, men's clothes store Hackett and Lloyds TSB.

But yesterday's breathtaking last-minute drop goal could see cash figures for those contracts tripling or quadrupling. Crucially, most of Wilkinson's sponsorship agreements were due to expire immediately after the World Cup - leaving it wide open for him to renegotiate more lucrative deals.

PR guru Max Clifford said: "There are very few sports where we have the best in the world and he's the only British sportsman who's truly number one.

"David Beckham is wonderful, but when he opens his mouth the magic goes. With Jonny Wilkinson that wouldn't happen. He would appeal to the big banks and the financial institutions and they're loaded."

A close second in the cash stakes is skipper Martin Johnson who is expected to cream in at least pounds 7million over the next two years. His income from endorsement deals was put at pounds 840,000 before the tournament but it will now more than quadruple.

Johnson has already signed contracts with Tetley, HSBC, Qantas, Adidas, Mercedes and underwear makers Wolsey. Now more offers will flood in - and the England skipper will be able to name his price.

Winger Jason Robinson, 29, who has already published his own colourful autobiography, is also set to make millions. The teetotal Christian already has contracts with Marks and Spencer and energy drink Powerade.

Alun James, managing director of PR consultancy Hill and Knowlton's sports marketing division, said: "Jason Robinson appeals to advertisers seeking a younger, funkier audience."

Meanwhile, former England captain Lawrence Dallaglio is likely to pull in pounds 1.4 million while props Jason Leonard and Phil Vickery will earn an estimated pounds 980,000 each.

Although many of the side - who all got pounds 60,000 for winning the cup - are not yet well-known figures, each one will be able tso quadruple last year's earnings after their triumph through public appearances and advertising.

Professional Rugby Players Association chief executive Damian Hopley said: "After a win the players will be able to write their own meal tickets."