Former Sussex coach Paul Taylor once dismissed England World Cup hero Jonny Wilkinson as an also-ran.

Wilkinson, who dropped the winning goal in the final victory over Australia in Sydney, was in the Hampshire side which defeated Taylor's county team in an schools' under-18s match at Portsmouth six years ago.

Taylor, a teacher at Varndean School in Brighton, said: "Coaches were asked to assess the players in those days. I didn't give him a good grade.

"He was kicking the ball all over the pitch and I thought he kicked too much. I didn't think much of him. Now he's a brilliant fly-half. It just shows how much I know about rugby!"

Andy Turner knows all about Wilkinson.

The Chichester High teacher coached England's hero when he was in charge of London Division Schools' under-18s six years ago.

He revealed the fly-half couldn't get the No.10 shirt.

"There was a guy called Simon Amor, who is now with Gloucester, who had the role with Wilko playing centre.

"But it was clear he was outstanding, not just his play but with his attitude. He was so dedicated. He always used to practice his kicking before divisional matches.

"Jonny also played my school team when he was at Lord Wandsworth on our playing fields and his side beat us 12-8.

He deserves all his success. He is self-effacing, very modest and a top guy.

"Funnily enough, his England teammate Richard Hill has also played at our school. He was with Bishop Wordsworth and they beat us by about 40 points. A year later, when he was no longer in the team, we took them on again and stuck 50 points on the board against them."

A Worth teacher revealed his part in Wilko's rise.

Selector Glenn Robertson chose Wilkinson for the London divisional schools under-18s after being impressed with his performance for Hampshire against Sussex.

Robertson, now chairman of selectors for the national age group, said: "I turned to the Hampshire youth development officer and remarked what a good player Jonny looked, that he had wonderful hands for rugby and could kick so well but he turned round and said 'Hands off him, he's ours.' He couldn't have known what I was doing there!

"He wasn't first choice fly-half for England. That job went to James Lofthouse, who drifted out of the sport, while Jonny played at centre.

"Mike Tindall and Iain Balshaw, who played in the final, were also on a trip to Australia that year. I spoke to Jonny recently about it and he remembered it well, saying it is extra special to beat Australia in Australia.

"Now he has done it against them in a World Cup final!"