Dallaglio and Wilkinson display the World Cup at Kingston Park

Newcastle fly-half Wilkinson kicked his country to World Cup glory with a dramatic extra-time drop goal against Australia last weekend.

And he emerged from the Kingston Park tunnel with Wasps flanker Dallaglio to an ovation from 10,000 fans.

Both players have been rested for the Zurich Premiership game.

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But they were acclaimed with great gusto by a crowd twice the size of that normally seen at Kingston Park.

"It feels fantastic to be home after eight long weeks," said Wilkinson, who is to be awarded an MBE on 10 December for services to rugby.

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"The crowd looks fantastic and the whole place is buzzing.

"It makes you feel excited. I'm desperate to get playing again and it's a wonderful feeling to be back."

Dallaglio added: "We are just massively overwhelmed and humbled by everything.

"The support is fantastic - a real tribute to people in the north east, and a reflection of what's going on all around the country."

The Webb Ellis Trophy will be unveiled to a much wider audience on Monday 8 December as part of an open-top bus victory parade through London.

The celebration - dubbed the Sweet Chariot victory parade - will be followed by an audience with the Queen and a reception with the Prime Minister.

Wilkinson is expected to make his first start of the season for Newcastle two days before the open-bus spectacle in time for the start of their European campaign.