Jonny Wilkinson marries in private ceremony

Toulon's Jonny Wilkinson thanks his side's fans, Clermont Auvergne v Toulon, Heineken Cup Final, Aviva Stadium, Dublin, May 18, 2013 Getty Images

Former England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson married his long-term girlfriend Shelley Jenkins in a private ceremony in the southern French resort of Bandol on Monday, the local mayor reported.

Bandol mayor Christian Palix said Wilkinson and Jenkins, who live in the town, had only invited two witnesses to the low-key ceremony in the local town hall. "He is an iconic figure in the sporting world and someone with great human qualities," Palix said.

The couple have been together for eight years after meeting on a beach on the Spanish island of Majorca, shortly after Wilkinson's relationship with TV sports presenter Diana Stewart broke up.