Jonathan Peter "Jonny" Wilkinson OBE (born 25 May 1979) is a former rugby union player that represented England and the British and Irish Lions. Wilkinson rose to acclaim from 2001 to 2003 before and during the 2003 Rugby World Cup and was acknowledged as one of the world's best rugby union players. He is also regarded by many as one of Rugby's all time greatest players.He was an integral member of the 2003 Rugby World Cup-winning England squad, scoring the winning drop goal in the last minute of extra time against Australia in the 2003 Rugby World Cup Final. He then came back from several injuries to lead England to the final of the 2007 World Cup. He played his club rugby union for Toulon following twelve seasons in the English Premiership with the Newcastle Falcons. Wilkinson has also toured twice with the British and Irish Lions, in 2001 to Australia and 2005 to New Zealand, scoring 67 Test points in the 6 Lions test matches he has started. On 3 April 2009 at Guildford Cathedral, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Surrey for services to the sports industry. He announced his retirement from the English national squad in early December 2011.Wilkinson retired from all rugby after the end of the 2013–14 season.
BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award, BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award
Nominations
Laureus World Sports Award for Sportsman of the Year, Laureus World Sports Award for Comeback of the Year, Laureus World Sports Award for Sportsman of the Year, Laureus World Sports Award for Comeback of the Year
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Quote
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"Playing up in Newcastle you quickly gauge the importance of sport. And certainly in England it's clear that football is so important. There's no doubt that the guy's got to have something special to get through all that intrusion to perform every week like that, so I'm more than happy to be labelled with that tag." - on being called 'The Michael Owen of Rugby'
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When I'm practising my mind actually tries to put me off by telling me to look at some guy who's walking his dog behind the pitch. Just as I am trying to kick, my mind is sort of trying to put me off! I think I might have a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde character trait.
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The longest kick he's ever done - "I had one in Newcastle five or six yards behind halfway against the breeze, which was a good one for me. But I suppose my longest international one was against Australia in November, two or three yards behind halfway."
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It's been an amazing week and a half, but I'm missing the team environment" - receiving his MBE Insignia
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I've been sat there staring at Boris Becker, one of my heroes, for half the evening" - winning the BBC Sports Personality Award 2003
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Fact
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He was awarded the CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in the 2015 Queen's Birthday Honours List for services to Rugby Union.
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He was awarded the CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in the 2015 Queen's Birthday Honours List for his service to Rugby Union. He lives in Hexham, Northumberland, England.
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Currently playing for Toulon in the French Top 14 competition. [August 2009]
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On the road back from a groin injury. Playing for the Newcastle Falcons in England. [May 2006]
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Currently in Australia with the England Team for Rugby World Cup 2003. [October 2003]
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Hexham, Northumberland, England [July 2008]
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Son of Phil Wilkinson and Philippa Wilkinson of Corbridge, Northumberland, England. Brother of Mark Wilkinson.
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He was awarded the 2003 International Rugby Board (IRB) International Player of the Year.
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He was awarded the 2003 BBC Sports Personality of the Year.
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He made his debut for the English rugby team at the age of 18.
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He was awarded the M.B.E. (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in the 2003 Queen's New Years Honours List and the O.B.E. (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in the 2004 Queen's New Years Honours List for his services to Rugby.
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He capped a brilliant 2003 for England by kicking the drop goal that won the World Cup for England, beating great rivals Australia in Australia on November 22nd 2003.
$21 Million
