Jonny Wilkinson kicked England to a 20-17 victory over Australia in Sydney with a drop goal in the final second of extra-time.

And plans are underway to honour coach Clive Woodward's team who arrive at Heathrow airport Tuesday at 5 am (0500 GMT), with the Webb Ellis Trophy on board in its own seat at the front of the plane.

A victory celebration through the streets of London and an official reception by Prime Minister Tony Blair at Downing Street are among the options being considered.

"We have been talking to the RFU to see how we could mark their efforts. A reception is obviously one of the things we are talking to them about," a spokesman for the Prime Minister said.

And Rugby Football Union (RFU) chief executive Francis Baron confirmed Sunday that an England XV will tackle the New Zealand Barbarians at Twickenham on December 20.

The fixture, which will not be an official Test match, has been ratified by the International Rugby Board.

The Barbarians side are likely to include players from throughout the southern hemisphere, and will be their second visit to Twickenham after they beat England in 1996.

The RFU are expecting a capacity crowd for what is an extra game before England launch their Six Nations defence against Italy in Rome on February 15.

Londoners flocked to pubs early Saturday to watch the game, shouting madly when Wilkinson won the day.

"We're here to support our country," Nicki Percy explained to The Observer newspaper amongst the "sweaty, heaving, steaming Orange Tree pub" in well-heeled Richmond, southwest London.

Fellow female rugby fan Kirsten Clare was crying as she exploded: "I can't believe it! I can't believe it! It's almost too much to bear."

The Prime Minister, relaxing after US President George W. Bush's state visit to London this past week, watched the game at his country residence Chequers.

"This was a fantastic day for English rugby and for England," Blair said afterwards.

"The team can be proud of their performance, their spirit and above all their character. It was a victory they worked for and the whole country can be proud of them."

London-based Sunday papers waxed lyrical about England's win.

"Champions of the world," trumpeted The Sunday Times. "Wilkinson wins it," crowed The Sunday Telegraph. "England on top of the world," agreed The Observer.

The top-selling News of the World put it all in perspective.

"After Maradona's Hand of God, Gazza's tears, the '91 Rugby World Cup, Euro '96, Becks' sending off, cricket (usually), Wimbledon (always) and years of Aussie gloating - yesterday this Jonny Wilkinson kick finally put us on ... Drop Of The World!"

Images of the unassuming 24-year-old Wilkinson -- whose mother was out shopping as the game was played -- was splashed across the front page of virtually every Sunday newspaper.

"God really is an Englishman!" said The Mail on Sunday, while in the Sunday Express the message was simply: "Wonder Wilko out of this world."