Leonard relishes day of glory

Matt had them in stitches when he told everyone that he had contracted a really bad rash on his chest since the final and would anyone like to see it.

The cry went up "yes" and so he lifted his shirt to reveal the Cup winners' medal and everyone just cheered. It was a great moment on a memorable flight home.

I know my old team-mate Brian Moore was hoping that I would have a crack at David Boon's record number of beers consumed on a flight from Australia to London but the last thing I needed was another drink! We had been celebrating in Sydney for 48 hours and while a couple of the boys tucked in and gave a good account of themselves, my main focus on the flight home was getting some sleep.

When we arrived at Heathrow they told us to leave in threes because of the huge crowd waiting to greet us and none of the players expected that kind of reception.

It was amazing and a total surprise and it made a huge impact on me.

I had no idea we had affected so many people with our victory.

It was a very humbling experience and the feelgood factor has just continued every day since we arrived back. After I lost the final to Australia in 1991 there were lots of people saying "Hard luck, well played" but nothing like this. What I really hope is that the enthusiasm among the youngsters for the game is used to increase the numbers of players involved in rugby and I am sure we won't miss a great

opportunity to boost the sport in England.

My own two lads greeted me by clamping their arms around a leg each and didn't let Daddy go for ages. I had them attached when I got my first sight of Francesca, who was born while I was at the World Cup and it was a special moment when my partner Sandra handed her over.

I had missed them so much.

Sandra and the children didn't come to the airport because we suspected it was going to be a mad house, but the period of normality we have had at home was very welcome because it's been ridiculously hectic since our return. There have been lunches, dinners, launches of special schemes to help the game and even a coaching clinic for youngsters at The Stoop.

I haven't paid for a black cab ride since we got back with the drivers insisting "no mate, I've got a World Cup winner in my cab, it's sorted".

I must admit that some of the demands at the dinners have been difficult to deal with. The sheer number of people wanting things signed has been staggering and it all came to head at a dinner at the NEC in Birmingham last week. They asked guests not to get things signed until after the meal and speeches to allow myself and Lawrence and other World Cup players to have some food.

A good hour before the end of the dinner - during the speeches - people started queuing up and by the time it came to sign things the line looked to be 100 yards long. Those people right in front of our table then surged forward and those waiting got upset and suddenly I am in a situation where someone could get thumped - all for a signature.

I told everyone to calm down or else I would be off and, thankfully, that was an isolated incident. The rest of the time it's been done really well although the England boys have been concerned that things we have

signed have suddenly appeared on one of the internet auction sites making money for individuals rather than charities.

I have given away all of my jerseys to various charities, and also my old club Barking, but I am holding onto my winners' medal and a ball that Daws got for me at the semi-final. That was the game where I broke Philippe Sella's record by winning my 112th cap and Daws grabbed one of the official balls.

He was repeatedly asked to hand it back but said "no" and so they called for a top official to come along who also demanded the ball. Daws told him why he was holding onto it and when the guy realised it was going to be presented to me by Clive Woodward in the dressing room after the game, he turned a blind eye. That was a really nice gesture by the official and the England boys.

It's a great memory from a remarkable time in my life and today promises even more special moments.

However, I must say that I hope it does quieten down a bit in the New Year because I don't know how much longer I can keep going at this pace!