Rugby World Cup winning captain Martin Johnson is 'the man' according to his predeccessor Will Carling.
The English skipper at both the 1991 and 1995 RWC's heaped the praise on the captain of the best team in the world in an interview with the BBC's website.
"You saw the man in his interview and he was praising the contribution of everyone else. That is the calibre of the man. "His leadership skills are extraordinary, he's not flash - just an incredible rugby player."
Carling called yesterday's triumph a "great day for English rugby".
He praised Jonny Wilkinson's last-gasp extra-time drop goal to seal a stunning 20-17 win for England and was quick to congratulate Clive Woodward's men for their display.
"These are just incredible scenes and it's a great day for English rugby," said the captain of the 1991 World Cup team beaten by Australia in the final at Twickenham.
"Jonny Wilkinson was just finishing off years of work and four years of preparation under Clive Woodward have paid off. I'm delighted for him and delighted for English rugby."
Praise for gutsy comeback
But Carling was also impressed by the resilient performance from the Australians, who fought back from 14-5 down at half-time to force extra time.
"Australia played incredibly well. For a side outgunned in every department they stayed in the game and, until Jonny Wilkinson finished them off, they were fighting all the way."
Yet to sink in
Francois Pienaar, who captained South Africa to victory in the 1995 tournament, believes for the England players, the victory has yet to sink in.
"Tomorrow morning when the players wake up they will realise how big this is," he said. "At the moment the players and those fans are emotionally drained.
"They won't know yet what hit them, the enormity of it all is just going to grow through the rest of this year."
Former Australia star Michael Lynagh, part of the team which won the 1991 World Cup, praised the Eddie Jones' side for reaching the final against all the odds.
"It was a fantastic performance by Australia and they put on a super performance," Lynagh said.
They were outmuscled but kept on coming back, kicking unbelievable penalties under pressure but at the end of day the power of England told."
Happy to have champs in his backyard
Scotland coach Ian McGeechan welcomed England's win as "brilliant news" for the game in the northern hemisphere.
"I was nervous just watching it and you have to give credit to England for the way the handled pressure," said McGeechan. "It is a major step forward for England and the entire northern hemisphere.
"We now have the world champions in our backyard and we have the opportunity to play them every year. It can only do the entire game a huge amount of good."