Jonny Wilkinson
Profile:
Position Fly-halfDate of Birth 25/05/1979
Place of Birth Frimley, Surrey, England
Height 5' 10''
Previous Teams Farnham Junior Rugby
Honours British Lions 2001 (5 caps), England (53 caps), U21
Biography:
His match-winning kicks led England to victory in the 2003 Rugby World Cup and 'Wilko fever' took hold. The rugby ace, from dedicated schoolboy to international hero.Jonny has had a love of rugby since the age of four. His father, Phil, played the game for 22 years, and both Jonny and his brother, Mark, were keen to follow in his footsteps.
Jonny grew up in the Hampshire county and was educated at Pierrepont, Frensham and Lord Wandsworth College, Hampshire, and he enjoyed playing cricket and tennis, as well as rugby for his schools.
Jonny impressed England rugby selectors, when he took part in the English 18s Schools tour of Australia in 1997, clocking up a spectacluar 94 points in only 5 games.
After college, Jonny decided to sign for Newcastle on a two-year contract, after turning down a place at Durham University. Rob Andrew saw his potential and allowed Jonny to play for the England first team, after only just under an hour with the senior rugby team. In his first game for England against Ireland, he broke the records, as Englands’ youngest player this century. He stood in for Mike Catt in England’s 79th minute of their game against Ireland, despite some of the protests against the decision, as a few fans believed he wouldn’t be any good because they hadn’t heard of him.
All this has not come without some serious dedication on Jonny’s part. He has been conscientious and hard working, often refusing to leave the training ground (even from a young age) until he got his kicks right.
Recently, Jonny has become a big name in the world of sports. In the closing minutes of the 2003 rugby world cup final, Jonny Wilkinson clinched victory for England against Australia with a nifty drop goal. Jonny has moved further up the fame ladder in 2003, winning BBC Sports Personality of the Year.
Jonny’s popularity continues unabated, despite recurring injuries during 2004, and he was bestowed with the ‘freedom of Newcastle’, an honour shared with Alan Shearer and late Newcastle United legend, Jackie Milburn.
Photos:
Jonny Wilkinson
Jonny Wilkinson
Jonny Wilkinson
Jonny Wilkinson
Jonny Wilkinson
Jonny Wilkinson
Jonny Wilkinson