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By Humphrey Carter CALVIA council revealed yesterday that it plans to honour the world's greatest rugby player, Jonny Wilkinson. The fly half who kicked England to victory over Australia in the World Cup final last month, has become a regular visitor to Calvia over the past few years and used a ten-day break in Palmanova this summer for some serious training in the intense heat.


While everyone else was either in the sea or close to some air conditioning, Jonny was pounding the streets of Calvia for two, two-and-a-half hours per day.

The Wilkinson family owns a holiday apartment in the resort and to honour Calvia's illustrious visitor, the council has decided to either name a street after him or one of the local sports grounds where rugby is played, for example El Toro.

Although the council has yet to fully develop the proposal, the decision to honour the rugby player has been taken. Before the Town hall goes any further, it intends to talk to the player and set a date for when Wilkinson, who has been honoured by the Prime Minister and the Queen, could next come to Majorca to receive his honour.

Next summer, Calvia is hosting the European Rugby Sevens Finals and the council is considering holding the event during the tournament which will include the England rugby sevens team.

However, this summer Jonny Wilkinson and his girlfriend Diana wandered around Palma like any other couple visiting the city, shopping and sightseeing.
Calvia honour or not, Wilkinson has even become famous in Spain, where rugby is becoming increasingly popular. So next time he comes here on holiday, he will have to keep eyes open, although it will take a brave man to upset him.