NEWCASTLE boss John Fletcher has hailed England star Jonny Wilkinson's new two-year contract with the Falcons, claiming: He is the biggest name in rugby.''

Wilkinson has ended speculation about his future by agreeing fresh terms at Kingston Park.

The deal, which is likely to be in excess of £500,000, sees 28- year-old Wilkinson remaining at a club he joined as a teenager.

He is currently in his 11th season on Tyneside, from where he has won more than 60 England caps and toured twice with the British and Irish Lions.

Newcastle rugby director Fletcher said: This is a massive endorsement of where we are going as a club.

It is no secret that Jonny has had offers from elsewhere, but this is where he sees his rugby future with the huge amount of talent and ambition at the club.''

Some of Falcons' big-spending rivals and leading French clubs were monitoring developments.

But he has opted to remain with a side he has so far made 163 appearances for and amassed 1,991 points.

And the completion of club business comes less than a fortnight before England launch their RBS 6 Nations Championship campaign against Wales at Twickenham, when Wilkinson is expected to retain fly-half duties despite a strong challenge from exciting Wasps prospect Danny Cipriani.

Fletcher added: "Jonny is an incredible sportsman, a fine character and just a tremendous ambassador for the club and for the region.

"He is the biggest name in rugby - still the best player in the world in my opinion.

"And the fact that he wants to stay at Newcastle sends out a clear message about where this club is going and how close it is to his heart.

"His importance to this club is enormous.

"This is his home, it's where his pals are and it's where he believes he can fulfil his rugby ambitions, as well as helping the team reach its collective goals.

"Kevin Keegan returning to Newcastle United and Jonny Wilkinson staying at the Falcons - it doesn't get much bigger than that if you are a sports fan in this region!

"It's something that all of our supporters should be excited about.

"We've seen the impact he (Wilkinson) has made already this season, and we look forward to building this team alongside him over the next two seasons."

■ Wasps star Danny Cipriani linked up with the England squad and warned Wilkinson: "I am not here to be the number two."

Cipriani has always set himself bold challenges - when he was 15 it was to make England's 2007 World Cup squad - but the latest is just about as big as they come.

Wilkinson is a guaranteed starter for England in the RBS 6 Nations Championship and it will take a special talent to oust him from that number 10 jersey.

But Cipriani is seen by many as the man to do it. Wales coach Warren Gatland recently predicted the 20-year-old could even become a bigger superstar than Wilkinson.

Cipriani allows none of that hype to faze him and is instead determined to learn all he can from Wilkinson - but also put the pressure on.

"It is obviously going to be a massive task to oust Jonny, he has done everything in the game but I am not coming here as number two," said Cipriani.

"It is understandable that whenever Jonny has been fit he has started for England because he has done an amazing job.

"Jonny has changed the face of rugby by himself. If I can learn from Jonny that will help me.

"I will give it my best shot to improve. I need to make sure there are no doubts about me as a player.

"If I was to have a chance to start a game I would do that to the best of my ability.

"It is great to hear people like Warren say things like that - but in my eyes I haven't made it yet. I want to get an England cap and then one day be a regular starter."