Johnny wilkinsons biography

British Lions & England ubiquitous rugby union player

Rugby player

Jonathan Shaft Wilkinson, CBE (born 25 Can 1979) is an English anterior rugby union player. A fly-half, he played for Newcastle Falcons and French side Toulon arm represented England and the Nation & Irish Lions.

He practical particularly known for scoring prestige winning drop goal in illustriousness 2003 Rugby World Cup Endorsement and is widely acknowledged introduction one of the best rugger union players of all time.^[3]

He played club rugby for dozen seasons in the English Premiership with Newcastle Falcons. In 2009, he moved to Toulon, in he won two Heineken Cups and one Top 14 assistance in five seasons.

He holds the record of top point-scorer at both clubs.

Wilkinson won 91 caps for England. Forbidden was an integral member all but the England squad which won the 2003 World Cup, attain the winning drop goal bank on the last minute of balance time against Australia in leadership final. He came back getaway several injuries and was divulge of the England team which reached the final of prestige 2007 World Cup.

He toured twice with the British & Irish Lions, in 2001 chance on Australia and 2005 to In mint condition Zealand, winning 6 caps.

He retired from rugby at grandeur end of the 2013–14 season.^[4] In 2016, he was inducted into the World Rugby Appearance of Fame. Wilkinson is of late a studio pundit for ITV Sport, working on their provision of the Six Nations Espousal, Rugby World Cup and mocker rugby events.

Early life

Wilkinson was born on 25 May 1979 at Frimley Park Hospital restore Frimley, Surrey and grew connect in Farnham. He attended Pierrepont School, Frensham and Lord Wandsworth College near Hook, Hampshire, promote played at youth level disperse Farnham Rugby Club.^[5]

He gained trim place at the University livestock Durham, but gave his dislocate up in 1997 to pass away a professional rugby union contestant with the Newcastle Falcons.^[6]

Career

1998–2000

Wilkinson afoot his career at Newcastle Nursery school of Rugby as an spirit centre, competing for a ill-omened with international veterans such whilst Inga Tuigamala, and Lion Alan Tait.

He became a girlfriend in a side that went on to win the 1997-98 Allied Dunbar Premiership title. Lump March 1998 he was row the full England Test force. Wilkinson began his international employment as an unused replacement blaspheme Scotland, before coming off description bench, replacing Mike Catt, line of attack play on the wing wreck Ireland at Twickenham on 4 April 1998; he was single 18.^[7][8]

He then participated in England's "Tour of Hell" in June 1998 that saw them stand heavy defeats to both Unique Zealand and Australia (who hangdog them 76–0).^[9] Wilkinson returned damage domestic duties by taking jurisdiction from Rob Andrew, who was made Falcons head coach (later Director of Rugby), as both their fly-half and goal unused.

Wilkinson became a fixture entertain the England team, and begun in all their matches need the 1999 Five Nations Promotion. He played for the Falcons in their 1999 Tetley's Acrid Cup final defeat to Writer Wasps.

Wilkinson played for England in matches against Australia, justness United States and Canada primate the 1999 Rugby World Jug approached.

He made his Rugger World Cup debut against Italia, scoring one try, converting other six and landing five scourge goals to rack up 32 individual points in the 67–7 win. Rear 1 playing another pool game disagree with the All Blacks, which England lost 30–16, he was not great against Tonga, a match won by England 101–10.

Following excellence quarter-final playoff win against State, Wilkinson was relegated to distinction bench for the quarter-final antipathetic South Africa. England lost illustriousness match by 44–21 and exited the tournament. Clive Woodward refused to expand on his alternative choice at the time,^[10] current following the match some journalists blamed the head coach's inadequacy of consistency in team pick as harming England's World Mug 1 bid.^[11]

The following year Wilkinson stilted in all five of England's 2000 Six Nations Championship matches.

England won the championship, regardless they missed a Grand Smash after losing their final lookalike against Scotland. Wilkinson then toured South Africa with England come by June 2000, kicking all only remaining the points in their 27–22 win in Bloemfontein. He was then capped another three days for England during the string of year internationals.

2001–2002

In 2001, England again won the Provoke Nations Championship. After the inauguration win over Wales, Wilkinson demonstrate an individual Six Nations Backing points scoring record with 35 points against Italy at Twickenham description 17 February, to overtake honesty record of his Newcastle Falcons mentor, Rob Andrew.

England won all their subsequent matches beside the tournament, with the shut-out of the Irish match, which was postponed until October.

More success followed for Wilkinson funding the Six Nations, as rendering Falcons won the Powergen Cup: a late Newcastle try gnome them defeat Harlequins by four points, by 30–27. As cool result of Neil Jenkins tormented a number of injuries unthinkable a dip in form, Chemist was picked as the twig choice fly-half and goal unexpectedly for the 2001 British Lions tour to Australia in July.

The Lions won the primary test over Australia by 29–13 in Brisbane, in which Chemist scored nine points through realm kicking.

The second test, wage war 7 July, saw the Lions lose 35–14 at the Docklands Stadium. Wilkinson was blamed brush aside many for throwing a scrape by pass inside his 22 wind was intercepted by Joe Roff: this was seen as representation turning point in the counterpart, and probably the test program.

During the match, Wilkinson be painful his leg and was stretchered off the pitch. The abuse was thought to be principally serious, but he made organized full recovery before the Bag and final test on 14 July. Wilkinson's try at say publicly start of the second one-half ensured that, along with surmount kicking scores, he equalled probity Lions' best individual scoring resolution in a Test, with 18 points.

The incomplete 2001 Six Benevolence Championship was concluded in Oct, with England playing Ireland. England lost 20–14 at Lansdowne Pedestrian. Both Ireland and England challenging won four out of greatness five Six Nations fixtures, nevertheless England's superior points difference guaranteed they clinched the title allowing, for the second year use convention, not the Grand Slam.

Sufficient a match against Australia take over the Cook Cup in Nov, Wilkinson scored all of England's points in their 21–15 fulfilment at Twickenham. After being mediocre as an unused bench reserve in the subsequent match side Romania, he then played keen large role in a catch over the Springboks, in which he kicked seven penalty goals in the 29–9 victory.

Travelling fair for a third Six Benevolence title in a row, England got off to a useful start in their 2002 Offend Nations Championship with wins fulfill Scotland and Ireland, before failure to France at the Stade de France. England won their remaining fixtures against Wales soar Italy but France went emerge to complete a Grand Crash.

The Falcons were in Pool 6 in the 2001–02 Heineken Prize, and won one match, notion fourth in the pool.

In the November 2002 end-of-year tests England faced Australia, New Seeland and South Africa in next weekends. Wilkinson played a bulky role in England's win spin the All Blacks. He scored a try (although he commented later that the chip fair enough kicked over the New Seeland defence was in fact intentional for Jason Robinson to receive),^[12] and kicked two conversions direct three penalty goals, as ok as a drop goal.

England then faced the 2002 Tri Nations Series champions Australia, who came to Twickenham on prestige back of a loss instantaneously Ireland. Two tries by winger Ben Cohen and Wilkinson's put the boot in accuracy saw England come draw out from a 19–31 deficit compulsion defeat Australia by a free point in a 32–31 supremacy. England went into the final test against South Africa tighten the possibility of beating significance Big Three rugby nations manipulate the Southern Hemisphere on next weekends, and defeated the Springboks by 53–3.

Springbok Jannes Labuschagne was red-carded after 23 notes for a late tackle bent Wilkinson.^[13] The very physical equivalent later saw Wilkinson leave character pitch with a dislocated passed over shoulder. The England camp alleged that Wilkinson was targeted descendant South Africa during the game.^[14] His half-back partner Matt Town, who had also been false off that match with type injury after being rammed saturate a Springbok player, later wrote in his autobiography Nine Lives that he felt South Continent had started out the go into battle with the intent of injuring England players.^[15]

2003 Six Nations person in charge victory at the World Cup

The opening match of the 2003 Six Nations Championship saw Author, the reigning champions and Famous Slam winners, play England.

Both teams were high in buffer, following successes in their cut off of year tests against goodwill from the Southern hemisphere. Various saw this game as integrity tournament decider and England won the match 25–17. Now thoughtful favourites to win the match, as well as a Dear Slam, England defeated Wales, Italia and Scotland. For the enterprise against Italy, Wilkinson was undignified as the captain of significance squad for the first at this point in his England career, in that Martin Johnson was unavailable payable to the birth of top first child.

The final equivalent was against Ireland at Lansdowne Road and would determine say publicly tournament, and Grand Slam espouse of 2003. By winning 42–6, England became the 2003 champions professor serious contenders for the on the cards 2003 Rugby World Cup heritage Australia. Wilkinson was named Fellow of the Match.

After honourableness Six Nations, England commenced fastidious tour to the Southern Divided, to play New Zealand snowball Australia in June. On 14 June and in difficult conditions under the we conditions, Wilkinson scored all 15 points as England beat New Island 15–13 in Wellington. He was also a major force develop their 25–14 win over Country a week later, which was their first ever victory put your name down Australian soil.

With England's 45–14 win over France in Sep, in which Wilkinson scored 18 points, England were now considered sole of the favourites at say publicly World Cup, set to kick off in October. Wilkinson was distinction youngest member of England's Planet Cup squad.^[16]

England's first match unexpected result the 2003 World Cup was at Subiaco Oval in Perth, where they defeated Georgia 84–6, with Wilkinson scoring 16 points breakout his goal kicking.

He high-sounding a major role in righteousness pool match against the Springboks, in which he scored 20 of England's 25 points, join the victory which held their opponents to just six. High-mindedness subsequent match against Samoa inlet Melbourne was surprisingly close convey the number-one-ranked rugby nation side a supposed "minnow" of worldwide competition, but England pulled quit a 35–22 win.

Wilkinson was rested for England's final spitting image against Uruguay. England finished unexpected result the top of Pool Recur, four points ahead of Southbound Africa.

England moved into justness quarter finals, where they fall down Wales at Suncorp Stadium bear Brisbane. Aided by the happening of Catt at half-time,^[17] Chemist went on to score 23 points in the match, which England won 28–17 to proceed apply to the semi-finals.

England met Author, whom they had beaten under that year on two occasions. England won 24–7, with Chemist scoring all of England's outcome through his kicking. In justness final versus Australia, with interpretation scores level at 17–17, Chemist received a pass and kicked a drop goal in supplementary time with just 26 doubles remaining; England won 20–17.

Dignity last time Australia had left behind a World Cup match was eight years earlier in nobility 1995 Rugby World Cup, while in the manner tha Wilkinson's mentor Rob Andrew scored a drop goal at integrity stroke of full-time to finish first in the game for England. Equate the match, Wilkinson expressed climax relief at converting the alluring drop goal, as it was his first success in several attempts during the match.

Glory win gave England its important Rugby World Cup, and dirt-poor the Southern Hemisphere's dominance strip off the tournament. Wilkinson became rendering tournament's leading points scorer attain 113 points. He was favored the BBC Sports Personality pay the Year and also known as the 2003 IRB International Sportswoman of the Year.

2004–2005

Within nifty couple of weeks of heavenly the World Cup, Wilkinson was found to have had excellent broken facet in his wait and missed the 2004 Tremor Nations Championship and the destructive tour of New Zealand survive Australia.

He was named topmost of the England team renovate 4 October 2004, replacing Writer Dallaglio, who had resigned cinque weeks earlier. However, he was kept out of the 2004 autumn internationals by a intumescency in his upper right displeasing, the captaincy being taken intimation by Jason Robinson and abuse Martin Corry.

In January 2005, he injured his medial elbow ligament in a match anti Perpignan. He missed the rift matches of the 2005 Scandalize Nations Championship and on crown return to Newcastle on 13 March 2005 he injured ethics same knee again.

In mock 18 months, he had played spick total of only 937.5 minutes lay out competitive rugby union, but was nonetheless given a chance deal with prove his fitness for righteousness 2005 British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand.

Firstly Wilkinson was left out pale the 44-strong squad which was announced by Clive Woodward rate 11 April 2005. However, grass on 8 May Woodward announced filth had added the fly-half acquaintance the squad after Wilkinson confidential proved he was injury-free dispatch fit. Wilkinson made his pull it off international appearance since the 2003 Rugby World Cup Final make available 23 May at the Millenary Stadium in Cardiff as rendering Lions played Argentina.

Wilkinson, pass with the rest of rank team, played poorly, but crystal-clear kicked a conversion and sise penalties and salvaged a 25–25 draw with the last getupandgo of the game.

Wilkinson's go by international appearance was in goodness Lions' first test against Original Zealand, starting at inside midst. Wilkinson scored the Lions' solitary points in their comprehensive 21–3 defeat.

In the second bite, another heavy loss, he begun in his normal fly-half penchant, but suffered a stinger cut, which ruled him out trip the third test. Wilkinson was replaced by Stephen Jones make out the final test.

Wilkinson difficult to forgo participation in description Falcons' August pre-season games bring to fruition Japan due to appendicitis.

Followed by, after having appeared in cardinal successive matches for Newcastle, primacy injury litany continued in full amount November with surgery for excellent sportsman's hernia, which he ourselves associated with the strain deadly his heavy training sessions, many times involving long kicking sessions.

2006–2007

Rob Andrew, then Director of Football at Falcons, said that in the matter of was no chance of Chemist going on England's summer cord and that he would emerging taking the summer off.

Regardless of missing two conversions, he demonstrated his playmaker skills in rectitude game against the Worcester Warriors on 30 April, in which he played the whole subsequent half. Afterwards, Andrew reiterated turn Wilkinson should not tour alongside the summer to prolong climax recovery period. Wilkinson started monkey captain in the Falcons only remaining 2005-06 Guinness Premiership game manage the season on Saturday, 6 May 2006, converting six sell his team's eight tries crucial their 54–19 victory over Metropolis Tykes.

Rob Andrew stated birth July, pre-season to the 2006-07 Guinness Premiership, that Wilkinson would be ready to challenge optimism an England position come representation November internationals. Captaincy of illustriousness Falcons was also given hitch former Wallabies fullback Matt Put a stop to, a move that Andrew putative would allow Wilkinson to condense more on his game ride a full return to rugby.^[18] In early August head tutor of England, Andy Robinson proclaimed the Elite Player Squad primed the 2006–07 season, in which Wilkinson was included.

During probity second game of the 2006-07 Guinness Premiership season against Metropolis Warriors on Friday, 8 Sep, Wilkinson was helped from representation pitch after 47 minutes with first-class knee injury incurred when freshen of his team members hew down on him after he was tackled. A scan confirmed put off he had torn the inside ligament of his right stifle.

He returned to play splendid full 80 minutes in the 26–21 win against leaders Bristol federation Friday, 3 November, kicking splendid conversion, a drop-goal and three penalties. It was reported worry 9 November that Wilkinson reception a lacerated kidney during dignity match. He returned from that injury in the Premiership amusement against Leicester Tigers on 27 January 2007, coming off influence bench after 37 minutes.

Influence 29 January 2007, Wilkinson was selected at fly-half in influence starting line up for England in their 2007 Six Handouts Championship opener against Scotland. England comprehensively beat Scotland 42–20 be selected for regain the Calcutta Cup, Chemist making an impressive return,^[19][20] do 27 points with five penalties, glimmer conversions, a drop goal, countryside a try.^[21] This broke integrity previous Calcutta Cup individual not to be disclosed of 24, set by Undermine Andrew.

Wilkinson was awarded decency RBS Man of the Gala as adjudicated by BBC arbiter, Brian Moore. In the pursuing match against Italy at Twickenham, Wilkinson scored 15 points to transform the highest individual point scorekeeper in the history of birth Five/Six Nations with 421 points.^[22]

Despite alternative injury scare just before primacy match against Ireland on 26 February at Croke Park, Chemist started, scoring 8 points in goodness game which England lost 43–13.

Wilkinson did not play meat the two remaining Six Humanity games against France and Princedom due to the effects disseminate a cramp that forced him off in the Premiership 38–12 defeat to London Irish fee 3 March.^[23][24] On 13 Apr, he suffered a rib lesion that forced him off about his fourth consecutive appearance shelter Newcastle in their 19–12 trap over Gloucester.^[25]

Despite missing the season's last Premiership game against Set free, Wilkinson made the England troop for the summer tour turf scored 5 points in magnanimity first test's record 58–10 sacrifice to South Africa.^[26][27] He scored 17 points in the second copy out, which England lost 55–22.^[28] Sentence the first of three convivial up tests before the 2007 Rugby World Cup in Writer, Wilkinson had an impressive project, scoring 17 points (seven conversions perch a penalty) in the 62–5 demolition of Wales.^[29]

2007 World Cup

Due to a non-contact ankle slash anguish sustained in training,^[30] Wilkinson was not included in the teams for the opening games admonishment the 2007 Rugby World Pot against the United States stomach then South Africa.^[31] He mutual to score 24 points in leadership 44–22 win over Samoa.^[32] Oversight helped England to victory destroy Tonga which put them curvature to the quarter-finals.

During England's 12–10 quarter final win combat Australia,^[33] in which he scored all of England's points, Chemist became the Rugby World Cup's leading point scorer with 231 points, surpassing Gavin Hastings of Scotland. He continued to play practised major role in England's protection of the World Cup uncongenial kicking 9 points, including a 40-metre drop goal in the desirous minutes, in their 14–9 semi-final victory over France.^[34][35]

In the 2007 Rugby World Cup Final, think about it 20 October at the Stade de France, South Africa won the Webb Ellis Cup hut a game where Wilkinson kicked two penalties, but missed combine drop goal attempts.

He was one of only four mould to start both the 2003 and 2007 Rugby World Cupful Finals, the other three make the first move Phil Vickery, Jason Robinson distinguished Ben Kay.

2008–2009 international season

Going into the 2008 Six Altruism Championship, Wilkinson was the apparent choice as England's number 10 and started the first two matches.

Against Wales on 2 February 2008, Wilkinson scored 14 points, but England put suspend a poor display to gloominess 19–26 after squandering a 10-point lead at half-time. Wilkinson misuse amassed 27 points in England's next two wins against Italia and France. A disappointing denial against Scotland on 8 Walk, in which a number addict the England squad put inlet poor performances, raised questions estimated Wilkinson's inclusion in the primordial line-up given the emerging Above-board talents at the number 10 position.

20-year-old Danny Cipriani was the main back up deadlock throughout the tournament (along take up again Charlie Hodgson), and replaced Chemist in the starting line-up long the last match of nobleness tournament against Ireland. This was only the second time meticulous his England career that Chemist was dropped to the diet (the first time being muddle up the 1999 Rugby World Tankard quarter final match with Southernmost Africa for which Paul Grayson was preferred).

However, close withstand the start of the in a short while half during the Ireland wage war on 15 March, Wilkinson was brought off the bench inherit replace Toby Flood, thus engagement alongside Cipriani at inside centre.^[36] This suggests a possible amalgamation to the balance of proliferation up-and-coming fly-halves while incorporating prestige leading player in the locate in recent years into honourableness squad.

Following the Ireland game and speculation about Wilkinson's days as the England number 10, Lawrence Dallaglio expressed his wrangle that Wilkinson was unlikely next let the position be reasonable to Cipriani from then on: the competition for the intertwine was likely to inspire Chemist, rather than discourage him.^[37]

Despite contention over his position, Wilkinson hanging the 2008 Six Nations orang-utan the tournament's top points official, with 50 points.

He was not considered for Martin Johnson's first England squad (the 2008 summer tour of New Zealand) due to a shoulder impairment. He was joined by Danny Cipriani on the sidelines astern the Wasps player also missing out due to injury. Splitting up 1 July 2008, Wilkinson was named in Martin Johnson's Undivided Player Squad and was birth only specialist fly-half in illustriousness squad.

2008-2009 Guinness Premiership season

Wilkinson made his recovery from hoist surgery to score 22 doorway on his return game at daggers drawn Northampton on 14 September 2008, including a 45-metre last sultry drop goal. Further sparkling celebrations and robust play indicated Chemist was playing injury free turf back to his best.

Unluckily, the injury jinx struck regulate in the Guinness Premiership meet against Gloucester on 30 Sep 2008. Wilkinson was forced be dead to the world the field with a injured knee, which left him married for England's autumn internationals reprove for the rest of significance 2008-09 Guinness Premiership season.^[38] Wilkinson's injury facilitated a recall round the corner the England squad for goodness Autumn Internationals for Danny Cipriani, who had returned from fine serious ankle injury on 1 October 2008.

In May 2009, it was confirmed that Chemist had ended his 12 period with the Falcons to touch the French team Toulon leverage the 2009-10 Top 14 season.^[39]

2009 autumn internationals

Wilkinson made a lucky injury free comeback to general test rugby on 7 Nov against Australia after an 18-month absence.

He then went disturb to play consecutive games argue with Argentina on 14 November tube New Zealand on 21 Nov. Wilkinson along with Lewis Dull were England's most consistent assign as they lost to Country and New Zealand and scarcely beat Argentina. During the primary two games he was partnered with Shane Geraghty at spirit centre for the third undertaking he was partnered with Ayoola Erinle at inside centre.

^{[citation needed]}

2007–2014

Because of a succession aristocratic injuries – affecting his ginglymus ligaments, arm, shoulder and form – Wilkinson's international career was severely disrupted. He did need appear again for England imminent 1,169 days after the 2003 Rugby World Cup triumph, be thankful for the opening game of loftiness 2007 Six Nations Championship combat Scotland on 3 February 2007.^[40] In his comeback international skirmish, Wilkinson scored 27 points (a tilt in the Calcutta Cup) spontaneous a full house (scoring outcome by all four possible methods), and was proclaimed Man cancel out the Match.^[41]

The following week bite the bullet Italy, he became the farthest point-scorer in the history be unable to find the Five/Six Nations Championship (he has since been overtaken soak Ronan O'Gara of Ireland).^[42] Dazzling 6 October 2007, he further became the highest point-scorer alternative route the history of the Football World Cup, kicking four penalties to overtake Scotland's Gavin Designer in a quarter-final against State.

In a 2008 Six Humanity Championship match against Italy, Chemist became the first English athlete (and third overall)^[43] to grade 1,000 Test points.^{[clarification needed]} Noteworthy is also the world under wraps drop goal scorer in worldwide rugby with a total censure 36.^[44] In March 2008, unquestionable became the highest international point-scorer, overtaking Neil Jenkins of Wales.^[45] In September 2008 he was injured again, ending his 2008-09 Guinness Premiership season.^[46]

In July 2009 he was recalled into grandeur England Elite Squad for ethics first time since the 2008 Six Nations Championship^[47] and was confirmed in the squad take over the 2009 Autumn internationals pinpoint a successful run of disposeds with Toulon.^[48] Wilkinson was spread selected to tour Australia stay alive the elite squad but was not selected as first election fly half, nevertheless Wilkinson actual the winning points in glory second test between England take up Australia.

Injury forced him manuscript miss out on the 2010 autumn internationals, in the occasion losing his position as dignity all-time leading points scorer cut down test rugby to Dan Haulier. However, Wilkinson reclaimed the classify during the 2011 Six Humanity Championship, a tournament during which he came off the governance in each of England's cardinal games.

He again lost loftiness record to Carter in July 2011. On 12 December 2011, he announced his retirement exaggerate Test Rugby.^[49]

Toulon

In May 2009 Chemist agreed to join French baton Toulon on a two-year confer, leaving Newcastle after 12 years.^[50]

In April 2013 Wilkinson played honourableness full 80 minutes in Toulon's Heineken Cup Quarter-Final, scoring keep happy 21 points against Leicester Tigers.

Wilkinson then landed 7 penalties and a drop goal wring defeat Owen Farrell's Saracens. Encompass May 2013 he scored 11 points as Toulon won rendering 2013 Heineken Cup Final wishy-washy 16–15 against Clermont Auvergne.^[51] Chemist finished as the ERC Inhabitant Player of the Year get into the 2013 tournament, having jumble missed a single place adventure in the knockouts with 17 from 17 attempts and mature with 56 points in illustriousness knockouts alone and 108 evidence in the entire tournament.

On 24 May 2014, he nonchalant Toulon to a decisive 23–6 win against Saracens in class 2014 Heineken Cup Final. Stylishness scored 13 points in leadership game.^[52] One week later mode 31 May 2014, he abandoned Toulon once again to other win in a final, that time the Top 14 Rearmost against Castres in which Toulon won 18–10.

Wilkinson kicked 15 points. This was the rob match of his career.^[53] Back the final whistle, supporters cause the collapse of both clubs sang "God Set aside the Queen" in tribute deal him.^[54]

Wikinson's contribution to Toulon's attainment, as well as his red-letter strengths, increased experience and bargain high kicking success rate, facade his leadership role within a-ok superstar and multi-cultural team;

• "One of the reasons the place is so successful is by reason of it’s driven by him.

  He’s the leader and he puts in more work than identical but he’s incredibly humble. It’s a team full of superstars but they can’t let their egos get the better bring into play them because Jonny’s in function. He’s the most famous current the most talented but additionally the most grounded. In cap team talks he speaks chief in perfect French and consequently repeats it in English."^[55]

Wilkinson was the highest paid player of great consequence French rugby.^[56]

Retirement

In May 2014, Chemist announced that he would apostatize from all rugby at ethics end of the season.^[57]

International records

England won 67 of the 91 games Wilkinson played in.^[49] Chemist scored a record 29th Drink drop goal against France imprint the 2008 Six Nations Aid.

His first converted penalty bite the bullet Scotland on 8 March 2008, took him 3 points earlier Wales's Neil Jenkins tally befit 1090 Test rugby points. That achievement came due to description IRB (now known as Field Rugby) retroactively granting full Experiment status to the 2005 Land & Irish Lions warm-up drink against Argentina, in which unwind scored 20 points, without which he would have remained cling Jenkins on that day.

Digit more penalties in the without fear or favour half took his tally stay with 1099 points.

On 26 Feb 2011, Wilkinson regained the slant for the highest tally grapple International points, overtaking Dan Hauler of New Zealand by grading a penalty against France hard cash a Six Nations match miniature Twickenham. Carter then reclaimed leadership record on 30 July 2011^[58] in the second 2011 Tri Nations Series match against Southern Africa.

Wilkinson passed Ronan O'Gara (522) to regain the all-inclusive points record total of 526 in the 2010 Six Offerings Championship, on 13 March 2010. Wilkinson holds the Rugby Pretend Cup points record with 277 and is the only performer to score points in one Rugby World Cup Finals.^[49]

As have a hold over 2015, Wilkinson had made explain tackles in world cups outstrip any other back.^[59]

Honours

In 2002, Chemist was appointed Member of magnanimity Order of the British Ascendancy (MBE).

In the 2004 Pristine Year Honours, he was promoted to Officer of the Glue of the British Empire (OBE).^[60] In the 2015 Queen's Memorialization Honours, he was promoted render Commander of the Order unknot the British Empire (CBE) 'for services to Rugby Union'.^[61]

On 3 April 2009 at Guildford Sanctuary, Wilkinson was awarded an nominal doctorate by the University oppress Surrey for services to authority sports industry.^[62] Wilkinson announced cap retirement from the English governmental squad in early December 2011.^[49]

On 17 November 2016, he was inducted into the World Rugger Hall of Fame at leadership opening ceremony for the Hall's first physical location in Rugger, Warwickshire.^[63]

Newcastle Falcons

Toulon

International

England

Statistics

International tries

International analysis offspring opposition

Correct as foothold 18 August 2023^[65]

Media

Wilkinson wrote uncut column for The Times every now until 2011, often during periods of high media focus chart rugby, such as Six Benevolence tournaments and Rugby World Cups.^[66] He has also written cinque books, which have been publicised by Headline.

The first, Lions and Falcons: My Diary admire a Remarkable Year, written pick up again ghostwriter Neil Squires who extremely helped Wilkinson in a uncommon other books, was published superimpose 2001, and followed a roiled rugby year for him.^[67] Rectitude diary documented the England football players' strike, the Newcastle Falcons winning the Powergen Cup, decency 2001 Six Nations Championship abstruse the British & Irish Lions tour at the end cut into the year.

After helping England win the Rugby World Toby jug with his last-ditch effort observe 2003, he published his alternate book in 2004. The tome, My World, was largely picture-based, with less text than tidy his previous book.^[68] The unqualified focused on his experience invoke the 2003 World Cup, current how his life had at variance following the winning drop neutral.

In 2005 How to Manipulate Rugby My Way, which attended the BBC series Jonny's Hotshots, was published. It was contemptuously a coaching/instruction manual, with tips and techniques for rugby in concert. It also included small insights into Wilkinson's family life see the relationships which have permissible his rugby playing to flourish.^[69] Wilkinson's next book, Tackling Life, was published in 2008.^[70] That book focuses on how coronate attitude to life changed funding his injury woes, and in any event he overcame them.

His one-fifth book, Jonny: My Autobiography, was published in 2011.^[71][72]

Since his retreat from playing, Wilkinson has arised as a studio pundit provision Sky Sports and ITV Cart, working on coverage of influence Champions Cup, Six Nations Assistance, Rugby World Cup and England Internationals.^[73]

Coaches and mentors

Steve Black, loftiness Newcastle Falcons' fitness trainer, was particularly influential on Wilkinson's rugger career.^[74] Wilkinson has previously hypothetical that he respects Black great great deal, and that Hazy taught him a lot realize "values and ethics".^[75]

Wilkinson also non-natural with kicking coach Dave Alred.^[76]

Mental conditioning

Wilkinson has been open tackle managing the stresses he change during his playing career.^[77]

Personal life

Family

Wilkinson's older brother, Mark, was besides a Newcastle player who energetic 16 appearances in the Premiership for the side between 2002 and 2005, predominantly as expert centre.^[78] His father, Phil, was a rugby player and cricketer, and his mother, Philippa, awkward squash at county level.^[79]

Marriage

On 28 October 2013, Wilkinson married realm girlfriend of eight years, fabric company heiress Shelley Jenkins, urgency a private ceremony at blue blood the gentry town hall of the Country resort of Bandol, to righteousness west of Toulon.

Only one guests, one of them Wilkinson's mother, were present at rendering ceremony officiated by Bandol politician Christian Palix, who said divagate "both [are] viewed with collection respect" in the community.^[80]

In Sep 2011, Wilkinson launched Fineside, swindler online men's fashion label.^[81]

No.1 Living

In 2018, Wilkinson founded kombucha association, No.1 Living, after brewing kombucha with his wife at spiteful and discovering the benefits cancel out a "living diet".^[82]

Attitudes and philosophy

Wilkinson followed Buddhist principles and concept to help control his precisian tendencies, according to an question he gave with The Times newspaper in 2009.^[83]

Wilkinson seeks peel live consciously rather than reactively, and to embrace all rendering positive aspects of humanity specified as acceptance, compassion and dialect trig true connection with others.^[84]

Diet

Wilkinson silt widely known as a teetotaler, but broke that habit care for England lost to South Continent in the 2007 Rugby Existence Cup Final.^[85] Wilkinson seeks sort out eat natural foods, avoiding toxins.^[84][86]

Awards

In December 2005, Wilkinson was awarded an honorary doctorate in Civilian Law by Northumbria University.

He was the 2003 BBC Amusements Personality of the Year, prestige 2003 International Rugby Board (IRB) International Player of the Twelvemonth and the 2013 (ERC) Denizen Player of the Year.

See also

References