Greenwood celebrates the victory. (Getty Images)

By Jamie Gardner, PA Sport

David Beckham paid tribute to Jonny Wilkinson as one England hero praised another for winning the Rugby World Cup.

Beckham, speaking from his home in Spain, revealed he did not get chance to see the game as he was with his Real Madrid team-mates.

He said: "I did not get to see the game because I was in training this morning but I had a friend at the game who called and so I heard the crowd cheer when they lifted the cup.

"It was a very proud day for England. I said during the week that I felt that England would win and Jonny really deserves what happened today.

"Congratulations go to the whole team on behalf of the England football team."

Former England hooker Brian Moore paid tribute to the "incredible character" of Clive Woodward's World Cup-winning side.

Moore, part of the England side which fell at the final hurdle to Australia in the 1991 World Cup, said: "I'm shattered - it's been a very emotional occasion. They showed incredible character to come back when the tide turned against them and it would have been easy to have dropped their heads.

"They hadn't played well in the second half but that incredible strength of character helped them fight back and win it and then of course Jonny Wilkinson handled the pressure brilliantly.

"It shouldn't be forgotten though that it took 14 other players working to move the ball to get him the opportunity for the drop-goal. England deserved it, they are the best team in the world and this proves it."

Moore insisted Martin Johnson's leadership under pressure was crucial to the victory.

"Martin was instrumental in that win because when the players needed it he was there rallying them when it would have been understandable for heads to go down."

Asked if the first-half try from Jason Robinson would have answered the critics who insist England cannot play running rugby, Moore insisted: "I couldn't care less. I've always known England are capable of playing that way, but yes, it was fine insofar as it stuck two fingers up to the critics."

Sir Bobby Charlton, a key member of the 1966 football World Cup-winning side, felt it was a wonderful day to be English.

"I was so nervous watching them and I was so proud that they won," Charlton told Sky Premiership Plus.

"If you're English it's great to see your national team doing so well.

"It gives everyone a little bounce. It's marvellous and I've got to say for all the dedication the players have shown, everyone should be really proud."

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson offered his congratulations to England's World Cup winners, and admitted his heart went out to Clive Woodward during the tortuous extra-time win.

Ferguson is familiar with such roller-coaster victories following United's famous late show to win the European Cup in 1999, and he sympathised with Woodward's ordeal on the touchline.

He told Sky's Premiership Plus: "I'm happy England have won the World Cup, I think it's great for Clive.

"I watched the game and I really felt for him because I thought they were completely dominant but didn't get away enough to make it an easy victory.

"Sometimes you have to go through the pain and the agony."