The UK bookmakers Corals in their BBC personality of the year betting have shortened Jonny Wilkinson folowing further heroics at the weekend against France and the prediction is he will be a certainty for the award should he do it again against South Africa in the Rugby World Cup final in Paris.

Wilko is as short as 4/1 for the BBC title and so much will depend on Lewis Hamilton who needs to win in the Brazil Grand Prix to become Formula One champion and if he does so will be the long odds on favourite and is currently the 1/5 favourite.

Wilkinson is the only rugby player ever to win the award after he kicked England to glory in Australia in the last World Cup four years ago.

The prospect of England regaining the trophy next weekend has also seen bookmakers cut the odds on the fly half becoming Sir Jonny.

Simon Clare, spokesman for Coral bookmakers, said: “If Jonny Wilkinson kicks England to a second World Cup victory there must be a major chance that his immense contribution to sport will be recognised with a knighthood.”

Source: Telegraph.co.uk