GOLDEN boots Jonny Wilkinson is to insure his famous left foot for a staggering £10m.

The Newcastle Falcons ace now rivals David Beckham in the popularity stakes following his heroic exploits in Sydney when his last-minute kick clinched World Cup victory over Australia.

The 24-year-old fly-half was valued at about £1m by the European Sports Consortium, underwriters which specialise in covering professional athletes.

But insiders now believe that figure will rocket to about £10m.

Wilkinson is following in the footsteps of other stars who have insured their most famous assets.

Riverdance creator Michael Flatley insured his legs for £25m and pop and film star Jennifer Lopez has insured her backside for £600,000.

Before he drop-kicked his way to super stardom, Wilkinson was already in demand and starred in a high-profile series of adverts with Beckham.

And following the Webb Ellis Cup triumph, his earning potential has soared with companies clamouring to invest in Jonny mania.

Sportswear company Adidas has doubled his contract to £2m for four years and he has also renegotiated deals with Lucozade, Mercedes Benz, Lloyds TSB and clothes firm Hackett.

Money from the deals overshadows the £200,000 a year wages with the Falcons, which are capped.

Wilkinson returned to action for the Falcons at Kingston Park yesterday for the first time since the World Cup having recovered from a neck stress fracture, but was forced to retire with another upper body injury.

On Boxing Day, he was at the Newcastle ground practising his goal kicking.