Twenty-six seconds of extra time remaining, Sydney, 22 November 2003. Matt Dawson passes, Jonny Wilkinson swings his right boot and England are world champions. It remains the most famous kick in English sporting history.
Behind it lay a work ethic that became legend, and a career that ended in glory in the south of France. Here is his story, with designs from our rugby union collection.
Jonny Wilkinson Fact File
| Full name | Jonathan Peter Wilkinson |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 25 May 1979 (age 47) |
| Place of birth | Frimley, Surrey, England |
| Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) |
| Position | Fly-half |
| Nationality | English |
| Status | Retired (2014) |
| England record | 91 caps, 1,179 points |
| Nickname | Wilko |
Career History
| Years | Team | Caps / points | Major honours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997–2009 | Newcastle Falcons | – | Premiership 1997–98 |
| 1998–2011 | England | 91 caps, 1,179 points | Rugby World Cup 2003 |
| 2001, 2005 | British & Irish Lions | 6 Tests, 67 points | – |
| 2009–2014 | Toulon | – | Heineken Cup 2013, 2014; Top 14 2014 |
International caps and points are Test matches only. On retiring he was England's record points scorer and second in Test rugby behind Dan Carter.
Early Years: Lord Wandsworth and Newcastle
Wilkinson was schooled at Lord Wandsworth College in Hampshire and joined Newcastle Falcons, where he helped the club win the Premiership in 1997–98.
He made his England debut aged 18, off the bench against Ireland at Twickenham on 4 April 1998, and quickly became first-choice fly-half.
Celebrate England's hero with our Jonny Wilkinson Rugby Union Icon Frame Men's Hoodie.
Breakthrough: Sydney 2003
Wilkinson was named IRB International Player of the Year in 2003, the year he defined. In the World Cup final against Australia he kicked four penalties, then landed the right-footed drop goal in extra time to win it 20–17.
He kicked a tournament-record eight drop goals at that World Cup and was voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year.
Take it to the Med with our Jonny Wilkinson Toulon Rugby Union Icon Frame Men's T-Shirt.
Peak and Pain: The Injury Years
After 2003 his body fought back: neck, shoulder, arm, knee and kidney injuries kept him out of Test rugby for almost four years. He returned to help England reach the 2007 World Cup final.
He finished with 91 England caps, 1,179 points and records for World Cup points (277) and drop goals (14), and toured twice with the British & Irish Lions.
Keep it classic with our Jonny Wilkinson Men's Hoodie.
Later Career: Glory at Toulon
Wilkinson joined Toulon in 2009 and became a hero there. He kicked them to back-to-back Heineken Cups in 2013 and 2014, and in his final match on 31 May 2014 scored 15 points as Toulon beat Castres 18–10 to win the Top 14.
Honours
International
- Rugby World Cup winner: 2003
- Six Nations titles with England
- British & Irish Lions tours: 2001, 2005
Club
- Premiership: 1997–98 (Newcastle Falcons)
- Heineken Cup: 2013, 2014 (Toulon)
- Top 14: 2014 (Toulon)
Individual
- IRB International Player of the Year: 2003
- BBC Sports Personality of the Year: 2003
- World Rugby Hall of Fame: 2016
- CBE: 2015
Away From the Game
Since retiring, Wilkinson has worked as a rugby analyst for Sky Sports and ITV and has written several books, including Jonny: My Autobiography. He has spoken openly about the pressure he felt as a player, and he founded the kombucha company No.1 Living in 2018. He married Shelley Jenkins in 2013.
FAQs
How old is Jonny Wilkinson?
Jonny Wilkinson was born on 25 May 1979, so he is 47.
Where was Jonny Wilkinson born?
He was born in Frimley, Surrey.
How tall is Jonny Wilkinson?
He is 5 ft 10 in, or 1.78 m.
What teams did Jonny Wilkinson play for?
Newcastle Falcons and Toulon at club level, plus England and the British & Irish Lions.
How many points did Jonny Wilkinson score for England?
1,179 points in 91 Tests, including 36 drop goals.
Which foot did Jonny Wilkinson kick the World Cup drop goal with?
His right foot, his weaker side, in extra time of the 2003 final against Australia.
Shop the Jonny Wilkinson Collection
Icon frames and classic name designs from our Jonny Wilkinson range.
See more in our rugby union collection, or put your own name and number on a custom name hoodie.
Part of our Player Profiles series. Read next: Tom Brady and Usain Bolt.
0 commentaire