View source for Jonny Wilkinson

{{Short description|British Lions & England international rugby union player}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{EngvarB|date=July 2016}}
{{Infobox rugby biography
| name = Jonny Wilkinson
| honorific_suffix = [[Commander of the Order of the British Empire|CBE]]
| image = Jonathan Peter Wilkinson London 2015 (4)-trimmed.jpg
| caption = Wilkinson in September 2015
| birth_date = {{birth date and age |df=yes|1979|5|25}}
| birth_place = [[Frimley]], Surrey, England
| birth_name = Jonathan Peter Wilkinson
| height = {{convert|1.78|m|ftin|order=flip|abbr=on}}<ref name="Rugby Football Union">{{cite web|url=http://www.rfu.com/SquadsAndPlayers/EnglandElite/JonnyWilkinson.aspx |title=RFU England Player Profile, Jonny Wilkinson |publisher=Rugby Football Union |access-date=23 August 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110826053052/http://www.rfu.com/SquadsAndPlayers/EnglandElite/JonnyWilkinson.aspx |archive-date=26 August 2011 }}</ref>
| weight = {{convert|89|kg|lb stlb|abbr=on|order=flip}}<ref name="Rugby Football Union"/>
| school = [[Lord Wandsworth College]]
| position = [[Fly-half (rugby union)|Fly-half]]
| amatyears1 =
| amatteam1 = Farnham
| repteam1 = [[England national rugby union team|England]]
| repteam2 = [[British & Irish Lions]]
| repyears1 = 1998–2011 
| repyears2 = 2001, 2005
| repcaps1 = 91<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.espnscrum.com/england/rugby/player/12757.html |title=Jonny Wilkinson |work= ESPN Scrum |access-date=14 August 2013}}</ref>
| repcaps2 = 6
| reppoints1 = 1,179
| reppoints2 = 67
| years1 = 1997–2009
| clubs1 = [[Newcastle Falcons]]
| apps1 = 182
| points1 = 2,049
| years2 = 2009–2014
| clubs2 = [[RC Toulonnais|Toulon]]
| apps2 = 141
| points2 = 1,884
| totalyears = 1997–2014
| totalapps = 323
| totalpoints = 3,933
| website = http://www.jonnywilkinson.com
}}
'''Jonathan Peter Wilkinson''' (born 25 May 1979) is an English former [[rugby union]] player. A [[Fly-half (rugby union)|fly-half]], he played for [[Newcastle Falcons]] and French side [[RC Toulonnais|Toulon]] and represented [[England national rugby union team|England]] and the [[British & Irish Lions]]. He is particularly known for scoring the winning [[drop goal]] in the [[2003 Rugby World Cup Final]] and is widely acknowledged as one of the best rugby union players of all time.<ref name="One of best rugby players">{{cite news|work=BBC News|title=Jonny Wilkinson MBE|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/special_events/new_year_honours/2615045.stm|access-date=20 May 2007|date=31 December 2002|location=UK}}</ref>

He played club rugby for twelve seasons in the [[Premiership Rugby|English Premiership]] with [[Newcastle Falcons]]. In 2009, he moved to [[RC Toulonnais|Toulon]], where he won two [[Heineken Cup]]s and one [[Top 14]] championship in five seasons. He holds the record of top point-scorer at both clubs.

Wilkinson won 91 caps for England. He was an integral member of the England squad which won the [[2003 Rugby World Cup|2003 World Cup]], scoring the winning drop goal in the last minute of extra time against Australia in [[2003 Rugby World Cup Final|the final]]. He came back from several injuries and was part of the England team which reached the final of the [[2007 Rugby World Cup|2007 World Cup]]. He toured twice with the British & Irish Lions, in [[2001 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia|2001 to Australia]] and [[2005 British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand|2005 to New Zealand]], winning 6 caps.

He retired from rugby at the end of the 2013–14 season.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/rugby-union/27467391|title=England World Cup winner to retire|date=19 May 2014|work=BBC Sport|access-date=21 May 2014}}</ref> In 2016, he was inducted into the [[World Rugby Hall of Fame]]. Wilkinson is currently a studio pundit for [[ITV Sport]], working on their coverage of the [[Six Nations Championship]], [[Rugby World Cup]] and other rugby events.

==Early life==
Wilkinson was born on 25 May 1979 at [[Frimley Park Hospital]] in [[Frimley]], [[Surrey]] and grew up in [[Farnham]]. He attended [[Pierrepont School, Frensham]] and [[Lord Wandsworth College]] near Hook, [[Hampshire]], and played at youth level for Farnham Rugby Club.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jonnywilkinson.com/the-journey/old-haunts|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141107151624/http://www.jonnywilkinson.com/the-journey/old-haunts/ |archive-date=7 November 2014|access-date=7 November 2014|title=Old Haunts|website=Jonny Wilkinson}}</ref>

He gained a place at the [[University of Durham]], but gave his place up in 1997 to become a professional rugby union player with the [[Newcastle Falcons]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.itv.com/news/tyne-tees/2014-05-19/jonny-wilkinson-17-years-of-breaking-rugby-records/|title=Jonny Wilkinson: 17 years of breaking rugby records|publisher=ITV|date=19 May 2014|access-date=26 November 2015}}</ref>

==Career==
===1998–2000===
[[File:The gods were not shining on Jonny today Galerie de fat dad.jpg|thumb|left|Wilkinson playing for Newcastle]]

Wilkinson started his career at Newcastle School of Rugby as an [[Centre (rugby union)|inside centre]], competing for a place with international veterans such as [[Inga Tuigamala]], and Lion [[Alan Tait]]. He became a fixture in a side that went on to win the [[1997-98 Allied Dunbar Premiership]] title. By March 1998 he was in the full England Test squad. Wilkinson began his international career as an unused replacement against [[Scotland national rugby union team|Scotland]], before coming off the bench, replacing [[Mike Catt]], to play on the [[Wing (rugby union)|wing]] against [[Ireland national rugby union team|Ireland]] at [[Twickenham Stadium|Twickenham]] on 4 April 1998; he was only 18.<ref name="adidas">{{cite web|publisher=adidas.com|title=Jonny Wilkinson|url=http://www.adidas.com/athlete/jonny_wilkinson.asp|access-date=17 May 2006|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060426163533/http://www.adidas.com/athlete/jonny_wilkinson.asp|archive-date=26 April 2006}}</ref><ref name="facons">{{cite web|publisher=newcastle-falcons.co.uk|title=Jonny Wilkinson|url=http://www.newcastle-falcons.co.uk/198_278.php|access-date=17 May 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060928203241/http://www.newcastle-falcons.co.uk/198_278.php|archive-date=28 September 2006}}</ref>

He then participated in England's "[[1998 England rugby union tour of Australasia and South Africa|Tour of Hell]]" in June 1998 that saw them suffer heavy defeats to both [[New Zealand national rugby union team|New Zealand]] and [[Australia national rugby union team|Australia]] (who defeated them 76–0).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jonny Wilkinson |url=https://www.ultimaterugby.com/jonny-wilkinson |access-date=2024-02-04 |website=www.ultimaterugby.com |language=en}}</ref> Wilkinson returned to domestic duties by taking over from [[Rob Andrew]], who was made Falcons head coach (later Director of Rugby), as both their [[Fly-half (rugby union)|fly-half]] and goal kicker. Wilkinson became a fixture in the England team, and started in all their matches in the [[1999 Five Nations Championship]]. He played for the Falcons in their 1999 [[Powergen Cup|Tetley's Bitter Cup]] final defeat to [[Wasps RFC|London Wasps]].

Wilkinson played for England in matches against Australia, the [[United States national rugby union team|United States]] and [[Canada national rugby union team|Canada]] as the [[1999 Rugby World Cup]] approached. He made his [[Rugby World Cup]] debut against [[Italy national rugby union team|Italy]], scoring one [[Try (rugby)|try]], converting another six and landing five penalty goals to rack up 32&nbsp;individual&nbsp;points in the 67–7 win. After playing another pool game against the All Blacks, which England lost 30–16, he was rested against [[Tonga national rugby union team|Tonga]], a match won by England 101–10. Following the quarter-final playoff win against [[Fiji national rugby union team|Fiji]], Wilkinson was relegated to the bench for the quarter-final against [[South Africa national rugby union team|South Africa]]. England lost the match by 44–21 and exited the tournament. [[Clive Woodward]] refused to expand on his selection choice at the time,<ref name="Woodward selection">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/rugbycup/Story/0,,202412,00.html|title=Grayson thrust into crunch position|work=The Guardian|date=23 October 1999|access-date=20 May 2007|author=Kitson, Robert|location=London}}</ref> and following the match some commentators blamed the head coach's lack of consistency in team selection as harming England's World Cup bid.<ref name="selection inconsistency">{{cite news|work=The Guardian|title=Damning evidence may spell the end of England coach's reign|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/1999/oct/25/rugbyworldcup2003.rugbyunion1|access-date=20 May 2007|location=UK|first=Robert|last=Kitson|date=25 October 1999}}</ref>

The following year Wilkinson played in all five of England's [[2000 Six Nations Championship]] matches. England won the championship, however they missed a [[Grand Slam (rugby union)|Grand Slam]] after losing their final match against [[Scotland national rugby union team|Scotland]]. Wilkinson then toured South Africa with England in June 2000, kicking all of the points in their 27–22 win in [[Bloemfontein]]. He was then capped another three times for England during the end of year internationals.

===2001–2002===
[[File:Jonny Wilkinson David Coldrey Quins 15 Newcastle 9 Guinness Premiership 2932008.jpg|thumb|Wilkinson kicking for Newcastle]]

In 2001, England again won the [[2001 Six Nations Championship|Six Nations Championship]]. After the opening win over [[Wales national rugby union team|Wales]], Wilkinson set an individual [[Six Nations Championship]] points scoring record with 35&nbsp;points against Italy at Twickenham on 17 February, to overtake the record of his [[Newcastle Falcons]] mentor, [[Rob Andrew]]. England won all their subsequent matches during the tournament, with the exception of the Irish match, which was postponed until October.

More success followed for Wilkinson after the Six Nations, as the Falcons won the [[Anglo-Welsh Cup|Powergen Cup]]: a late Newcastle try saw them defeat [[Harlequin F.C.|Harlequins]] by three points, by 30–27. As a result of [[Neil Jenkins]] suffering a number of injuries and a dip in form, Wilkinson was picked as the first choice fly-half and goal kicker for the [[2001 British Lions tour to Australia]] in July. The Lions won the first test over Australia by 29–13 in [[Brisbane]], in which Wilkinson scored nine points through his kicking.

The second test, on 7 July, saw the Lions lose 35–14 at the [[Docklands Stadium]]. Wilkinson was blamed by many for throwing a long pass inside his 22 that was intercepted by [[Joe Roff]]: this was seen as the turning point in the match, and probably the test series. During the match, Wilkinson injured his leg and was stretchered off the pitch. The injury was thought to be particularly serious, but he made a full recovery before the Third and final test on 14 July. Wilkinson's try at the start of the second half ensured that, along with his kicking scores, he equalled the Lions' best individual scoring total in a Test, with 18&nbsp;points.

The incomplete 2001 Six Nations Championship was concluded in October, with England playing Ireland. England lost 20–14 at [[Lansdowne Road]]. Both Ireland and England had won four out of the five Six Nations fixtures, but England's superior points difference ensured they clinched the title although, for the second year running, not the Grand Slam. In a match against Australia for the [[Cook Cup]] in November, Wilkinson scored all of England's points in their 21–15 victory at [[Twickenham Stadium|Twickenham]]. After being rested as an unused bench replacement in the subsequent match against [[Romania national rugby union team|Romania]], he then played a large role in a win over the Springboks, in which he kicked seven penalty goals in the 29–9 victory. Going for a third Six Nations title in a row, England got off to a good start in their [[2002 Six Nations Championship]] with wins over Scotland and Ireland, before losing to France at the [[Stade de France]]. England won their remaining fixtures against Wales and Italy but France went on to complete a Grand Slam. The Falcons were in Pool&nbsp;6 in the [[2001–02 Heineken Cup]], and won one match, finishing fourth in the pool.

In the November 2002 end-of-year tests England faced Australia, New Zealand and South Africa in subsequent weekends. Wilkinson played a large role in England's win over the All Blacks. He scored a [[Try (rugby)|try]] (although he commented later that the chip he kicked over the New Zealand defence was in fact meant for [[Jason Robinson (rugby)|Jason Robinson]] to receive),<ref>{{cite news|work=BBC News|title=Wilkinson revels in good fortune|url= https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/international/2446245.stm|access-date=20 May 2007|date=12 November 2002|location=UK}}</ref> and kicked two conversions and three penalty goals, as well as a [[drop goal]]. England then faced the [[2002 Tri Nations Series]] champions Australia, who came to [[Twickenham Stadium|Twickenham]] on the back of a loss to Ireland. Two tries by winger [[Ben Cohen (rugby union)|Ben Cohen]] and Wilkinson's kicking accuracy saw England come back from a 19–31 deficit to defeat Australia by a single point in a 32–31 victory. England went into the last test against South Africa with the possibility of beating the Big Three rugby nations of the Southern Hemisphere on subsequent weekends, and defeated the Springboks by 53–3. Springbok [[Jannes Labuschagne]] was red-carded after 23 minutes for a late tackle on Wilkinson.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6J6gVu4l1k |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/P6J6gVu4l1k| archive-date=12 December 2021 |url-status=live|title=Jannes Labuschagne breaks Wilkinson|date=29 October 2009 |publisher=YouTube|access-date=18 May 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The very physical match later saw Wilkinson leave the pitch with a dislocated left shoulder. The England camp believed that Wilkinson was targeted by South Africa during the game.<ref>{{cite news|work=BBC News|title=Woodward irate about 'brutal' Boks|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/international/2506587.stm|access-date=5 September 2006|date=23 November 2002|location=UK}}</ref> His half-back partner [[Matt Dawson]], who had also been forced off that match with an injury after being rammed by a Springbok player, later wrote in his autobiography ''Nine Lives'' that he felt South Africa had started out the match with the intent of injuring England players.<ref>Dawson, Matt. ''Nine Lives: The Autobiography'', CollinsWillow (2004), p. 214. {{ISBN|978-0007165667}}</ref>

===2003 Six Nations and victory at the World Cup===
The opening match of the [[2003 Six Nations Championship]] saw France, the reigning champions and Grand Slam winners, play England. Both teams were high in confidence, following successes in their end of year tests against nations from the Southern hemisphere. Many saw this game as the tournament decider and England won the match 25–17. Now considered favourites to win the tournament, as well as a Grand Slam, England defeated Wales, Italy and Scotland. For the game against Italy, Wilkinson was chosen as the captain of the squad for the first time in his England career, as [[Martin Johnson (rugby union)|Martin Johnson]] was unavailable due to the birth of his first child. The final match was against Ireland at [[Lansdowne Road]] and would determine the tournament, and Grand Slam winner of 2003. By winning 42–6, England became the 2003&nbsp;champions and serious contenders for the upcoming [[2003 Rugby World Cup]] in Australia. Wilkinson was named [[Man of the Match]].

After the Six Nations, England commenced a tour to the Southern Hemisphere, to play New Zealand and Australia in June. On 14 June and in difficult weather conditions, Wilkinson scored all 15&nbsp;points as England beat New Zealand 15–13 in Wellington. He was also a major force in their 25–14 win over Australia a week later, which was their first ever victory on Australian soil. With England's 45–14 win over France in September, in which Wilkinson scored 18&nbsp;points, England were now considered one of the favourites at the World Cup, set to start in October. Wilkinson was the youngest member of England's World Cup squad.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/team_guides/6924361.stm|title=England RWC team guide|publisher=BBC|date=3 September 2007|access-date=5 February 2011}}</ref>

England's first match at the 2003 World Cup was at [[Subiaco Oval]] in [[Perth]], where they defeated [[Georgia national rugby union team|Georgia]] 84–6, with Wilkinson scoring 16&nbsp;points from his goal kicking. He played a major role in the pool match against the Springboks, in which he scored 20 of England's 25 points, in the victory which held their opponents to just six. The subsequent match against Samoa in [[Melbourne]] was surprisingly close for the number-one-ranked rugby nation against a supposed "minnow" of international competition, but England pulled off a 35–22 win. Wilkinson was rested for England's final win against [[Uruguay national rugby union team|Uruguay]]. England finished at the top of Pool D, four points ahead of South Africa.

England moved into the quarter finals, where they met Wales at [[Lang Park|Suncorp Stadium]] in [[Brisbane]]. Aided by the arrival of Catt at half-time,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/england/8955625/Jonny-Wilkinson-did-not-need-bailing-out-during-2003-Rugby-World-Cup-final-says-former-team-mate-Mike-Catt.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/england/8955625/Jonny-Wilkinson-did-not-need-bailing-out-during-2003-Rugby-World-Cup-final-says-former-team-mate-Mike-Catt.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Jonny Wilkinson did not need bailing out during 2003 Rugby World Cup final says former team-mate Mike Catt|date=14 December 2011 |access-date=11 July 2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Wilkinson went on to score 23&nbsp;points in the match, which England won 28–17 to proceed to the semi-finals. England met France, whom they had beaten earlier that year on two occasions. England won 24–7, with Wilkinson scoring all of England's points through his kicking. In the final versus Australia, with the scores level at 17–17, Wilkinson received a pass and kicked a drop goal in extra time with just 26 seconds remaining; England won 20–17. The last time [[Australia national rugby union team|Australia]] had lost a World Cup match was eight years earlier in the [[1995 Rugby World Cup]], when Wilkinson's mentor [[Rob Andrew]] scored a [[drop goal]] at the stroke of full-time to win the game for [[England national rugby union team|England]]. After the match, Wilkinson expressed his relief at converting the winning drop goal, as it was his first success in four attempts during the match. The win gave England its first [[Rugby World Cup]], and broke the Southern Hemisphere's dominance of the tournament. Wilkinson became the tournament's leading points scorer with 113 points. He was voted the [[BBC Sports Personality of the Year]] and also named the 2003 [[World Rugby Player of the Year|IRB International Player of the Year]].

===2004–2005===
[[File:Jonny Wilkinson conversion.jpg|thumb|Wilkinson training before a Six Nations match]]

Within a couple of weeks of winning the World Cup, Wilkinson was found to have had a broken facet in his [[shoulder]] and missed the [[2004 Six Nations Championship]] and the disastrous tour of New Zealand and Australia. He was named captain of the England team on 4 October 2004, replacing [[Lawrence Dallaglio]], who had resigned five weeks earlier. However, he was kept out of the 2004 autumn internationals by a [[haematoma]] in his upper right arm, the captaincy being taken over by [[Jason Robinson (rugby)|Jason Robinson]] and then [[Martin Corry (rugby union)|Martin Corry]]. In January 2005, he injured his medial knee ligament in a match against [[USA Perpignan|Perpignan]]. He missed the opening matches of the [[2005 Six Nations Championship]] and on his return to Newcastle on 13 March 2005 he injured the same knee again.

In almost 18&nbsp;months, he had played a total of only 937.5&nbsp;minutes of competitive rugby union, but was nonetheless given a chance to prove his fitness for the [[2005 British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand]]. Initially Wilkinson was left out of the 44-strong squad which was announced by [[Clive Woodward]] on 11 April 2005. However, on 8 May Woodward announced he had added the fly-half to the squad after Wilkinson had proved he was injury-free and fit. Wilkinson made his first international appearance since the [[2003 Rugby World Cup Final]] on 23 May at the [[Millennium Stadium]] in [[Cardiff]] as the Lions played [[Argentina national rugby union team|Argentina]]. Wilkinson, along with the rest of the team, played poorly, but he kicked a conversion and six penalties and salvaged a 25–25 draw with the last kick of the game.

Wilkinson's next international appearance was in the Lions' first test against [[New Zealand national rugby union team|New Zealand]], starting at [[Centre (rugby union)|inside centre]]. Wilkinson scored the Lions' only points in their comprehensive 21–3 defeat. In the second test, another heavy loss, he started in his normal fly-half position, but suffered a [[Stinger (medicine)|stinger injury]], which ruled him out of the third test. Wilkinson was replaced by [[Stephen Jones (rugby union)|Stephen Jones]] in the final test.

Wilkinson had to forgo participation in the Falcons' August pre-season games in Japan due to [[appendicitis]]. Then, after having appeared in five successive matches for Newcastle, the injury litany continued in late November with surgery for a sportsman's [[hernia]], which he himself associated with the strain of his heavy training sessions, often involving long kicking sessions.

===2006–2007===
[[File:St Jonny signing autographs.jpg|thumb|Wilkinson signing autographs, 2007]]

[[Rob Andrew]], then Director of Rugby at Falcons, said that there was no chance of Wilkinson going on [[2006 mid-year rugby test series|England's summer tour]] and that he would be taking the summer off. Despite missing two conversions, he demonstrated his playmaker skills in the game against the [[Worcester Warriors]] on 30 April, in which he played the whole second half. Afterwards, Andrew reiterated that Wilkinson should not tour during the summer to prolong his recovery period. Wilkinson started as captain in the Falcons last [[2005-06 Guinness Premiership]] game of the season on Saturday, 6 May 2006, converting six of his team's eight tries in their 54–19 victory over [[Leeds Tykes]].

[[Rob Andrew]] stated in July, pre-season to the [[2006-07 Guinness Premiership]], that Wilkinson would be ready to challenge for an England position come the [[2006 end-of-year rugby test series|November internationals]]. Captaincy of the Falcons was also given to former Wallabies fullback [[Matt Burke (rugby union, born 1973)|Matt Burke]], a move that Andrew believed would allow Wilkinson to concentrate more on his game and a full return to rugby.<ref name="engnfcap">{{cite web|publisher=planet-rugby.com|title=A new day dawns for Wilkinson|url=http://planet-rugby.com/News/story_52271.shtml|access-date=5 July 2006|archive-url=https://archive.today/20060707112245/http://www.planet-rugby.com/News/story_52271.shtml|archive-date=7 July 2006}}</ref> In early August head coach of England, [[Andy Robinson]] announced the Elite Player Squad for the 2006–07 season, in which Wilkinson was included.

During the second game of the [[2006-07 Guinness Premiership]] season against [[Worcester Warriors]] on Friday, 8 September, Wilkinson was helped from the pitch after 47&nbsp;minutes with a knee injury incurred when one of his team members fell on him after he was tackled. A scan confirmed that he had torn the medial ligament of his right knee. He returned to play a full 80&nbsp;minutes in the 26–21 win against leaders [[Bristol Rugby|Bristol]] on Friday, 3 November, kicking a conversion, a drop-goal and two penalties. It was reported on 9 November that Wilkinson suffered a lacerated kidney during the match. He returned from this injury in the Premiership game against [[Leicester Tigers]] on 27 January 2007, coming off the bench after 37 minutes. On 29 January 2007, Wilkinson was selected at fly-half in the starting line up for England in their [[2007 Six Nations Championship]] opener against Scotland. England comprehensively beat Scotland 42–20 to regain the [[Calcutta Cup]], Wilkinson making an impressive return,<ref name=impressiveReturn>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2007/02/04/srieua04.xml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070206031827/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2007/02/04/srieua04.xml|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 February 2007|title=Perfect script unfolds for comeback king|access-date=3 February 2007|date=3 February 2007|location=UK|first=Ieuan|last=Evans|work=The Daily Telegraph}}</ref><ref name=impressiveReturn2>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2007/02/04/srfron04.xml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070206021749/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2007/02/04/srfron04.xml|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 February 2007|title=Wilkinson makes dream return|access-date=4 February 2007|date=4 February 2007|location=UK|first=Simon|last=Hart|work=The Daily Telegraph}}</ref> scoring 27&nbsp;points with five penalties, two conversions, a [[drop kick|drop goal]], and a try.<ref name=Scotlandtry>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/6328343.stm|title=Hadden fumes over 'farcical' try|access-date=3 February 2007|date=3 February 2007|location=UK|work=BBC News}}</ref> This broke the previous Calcutta Cup individual record of 24, set by [[Rob Andrew]]. Wilkinson was awarded the [[Royal Bank of Scotland|RBS]] Man of the Match as adjudicated by [[BBC]] commentator, [[Brian Moore (rugby union)|Brian Moore]].
In the following match against Italy at Twickenham, Wilkinson scored 15&nbsp;points to become the highest individual point scorer in the history of the [[Six Nations Championship|Five/Six Nations]] with 421&nbsp;points.<ref name="6NationsRecord">{{cite news|work=The Daily Telegraph|title=Record-breaking Jonny kicks in for England|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml;jsessionid=RSVZ3SL2WL3SXQFIQMFCFFOAVCBQYIV0?xml=/sport/2007/02/11/srfron11.xml|access-date=10 February 2007|date=10 February 2007|location=UK|first=Ryan|last=Johnson}}{{dead link|date=July 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
[[File:England v Italy 20070210.jpg|thumb|left|Wilkinson performing his familiar pre kick ritual]]

Despite another injury scare just before the match against [[Ireland national rugby union team|Ireland]] on 26 February at [[Croke Park]], Wilkinson started, scoring 8&nbsp;points in the game which England lost 43–13. Wilkinson did not play in the two remaining Six Nations games against [[France national rugby union team|France]] and [[Wales national rugby union team|Wales]] due to the effects of a cramp that forced him off in the Premiership 38–12 defeat to [[London Irish]] on 3 March.<ref name="6N2007VsFrance">{{cite news|work=The Daily Telegraph| title= Catt to captain England as trio are ruled out|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml;jsessionid=HZ3FUQ2ASWSNBQFIQMFCFFWAVCBQYIV0?xml=/sport/2007/03/06/ureng06.xml|access-date=6 March 2007 |date=3 March 2007|location=UK|first=Vicki|last=Hodges}}{{dead link|date=July 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref name="LondonIrishInjury">{{cite news|work= BBC News|title=London Irish 38–12 Newcastle|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/english/6398825.stm|access-date=3 March 2007|date=3 March 2007|location=UK}}</ref> On 13 April, he suffered a rib injury that forced him off during his fourth consecutive appearance for Newcastle in their 19–12 win over [[Gloucester Rugby|Gloucester]].<ref name="Gloucester2007Injury">{{cite news|work=BBC News|title=Tindall ruled out with broken leg|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/english/6555151.stm|access-date=14 April 2007|date=14 April 2007|location=UK}}</ref>

Despite missing the season's last Premiership game against [[Bath Rugby|Bath]], Wilkinson made the England squad for the summer tour and scored 5 points in the first test's record 58–10 loss to [[South Africa national rugby union team|South Africa]].<ref name="SA2007squad">{{cite news|work=BBC News| title= Robinson to captain England squad|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/6609135.stm|access-date=1 May 2007|date=1 May 2007|location=London}}</ref><ref name="SA2007test1">{{cite news|work=BBC News|title= South Africa 58–10 England|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/english/6690715.stm |access-date=26 May 2007|date=26 May 2007|location=UK}}</ref> He scored 17&nbsp;points in the second test, which England lost 55–22.<ref name="SA2007test2">{{cite news|work=The Daily Telegraph|title=Plucky England cling to positives amid debris|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2007/06/04/srsa04.xml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070610134549/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2007/06/04/srsa04.xml|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 June 2007|access-date=4 June 2007|date=4 June 2007|location=UK|first=Mick|last=Cleary}}</ref> In the first of three warm up tests before the [[2007 Rugby World Cup]] in France, Wilkinson had an impressive game, scoring 17&nbsp;points (seven conversions and a penalty) in the 62–5 demolition of [[Wales national rugby union team|Wales]].<ref name="RWC2007Warmup1">{{cite news|work=BBC News|title=England 62–5 Wales|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/6931512.stm|access-date=4 August 2007|date=4 August 2007|location=UK}}</ref>

===2007 World Cup===
[[File:Jonny Wilkinson Statue - Trafalgar Square - London, England - October 19th 2007..jpg|thumb|upright|Wax figure of Jonny Wilkinson in [[Trafalgar Square]] in London before the [[2007 Rugby World Cup Final]] in Paris]]

Due to a non-contact ankle injury sustained in training,<ref name="RWC2007Injury1">{{cite news|work=BBC News|title=Wilkinson hopeful of quick return|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/english/6979533.stm|access-date=6 September 2007 |date=6 September 2007|location=UK}}</ref> Wilkinson was not included in the teams for the opening games of the [[2007 Rugby World Cup]] against the [[United States national rugby union team|United States]] and then [[South Africa national rugby union team|South Africa]].<ref name="RWC2007Injury2">{{cite news|work=BBC News|title=England face crisis at fly-half|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/english/6988595.stm|access-date=11 September 2007|date=11 September 2007|location=UK}}</ref> He returned to score 24&nbsp;points in the 44–22 win over [[Samoa national rugby union team|Samoa]].<ref name="RWC2007Samoa">{{cite news|work=BBC News|title=Rugby World Cup|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/7008462.stm|access-date=22 September 2007|date=22 September 2007|location=UK|first=Rob|last=Hodgetts}}</ref> He helped England to victory against [[Tonga national rugby union team|Tonga]] which put them through to the quarter-finals. During England's 12–10 quarter final win against Australia,<ref name="RWC2007QtrFinal">{{cite news|work=BBC News|title=England v Australia as it happened|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/7030305.stm|access-date=6 October 2007|date=15 October 2007|location=UK|first=Phil|last=Harlow}}</ref> in which he scored all of England's points, Wilkinson became the Rugby World Cup's leading point scorer with 231&nbsp;points, surpassing [[Gavin Hastings]] of [[Scotland national rugby union team|Scotland]]. He continued to play a major role in England's defence of the World Cup by kicking 9&nbsp;points, including a 40-metre drop goal in the dying minutes, in their 14–9 semi-final victory over France.<ref name="RWC2007SemiFinal1">{{cite news|work= BBC News|title=England defy odds for World Cup final fling|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/english/7041317.stm|access-date=13 October 2007|date=13 October 2007|location=UK|first=James|last=Standley}}</ref><ref name="RWC2007SemiFinal2">{{cite news|work=The Daily Telegraph|title=England v France|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2007/10/15/srmick115.xml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071015173924/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2007/10/15/srmick115.xml|url-status=dead|archive-date=15 October 2007|access-date=15 October 2007|date=15 October 2007|location=UK|first=Mick|last=Cleary}}</ref>

In the [[2007 Rugby World Cup Final]], on 20 October at the [[Stade de France]], South Africa won the [[Webb Ellis Cup]] in a game where Wilkinson kicked two penalties, but missed two drop goal attempts. He was one of only four players to start both the 2003 and 2007 Rugby World Cup Finals, the other three being [[Phil Vickery (rugby union)|Phil Vickery]], [[Jason Robinson (rugby)|Jason Robinson]] and [[Ben Kay]].

===2008–2009 international season===
{{BLP sources section|date=April 2020}}
[[File:Jonny Wilkinson 2009 08 england training 2.jpg|thumb|left|Wilkinson passing to his backline in training]]

Going into the [[2008 Six Nations Championship]], Wilkinson was the obvious choice as England's number 10 and started the first four matches. Against Wales on 2 February 2008, Wilkinson scored 14 points, but England put in a poor display to fall 19–26 after squandering a 10-point lead at half-time. Wilkinson then amassed 27 points in England's next two wins against Italy and France.  A disappointing loss against Scotland on 8 March, in which a number of the England squad put in poor performances, raised questions about Wilkinson's inclusion in the starting line-up given the emerging English talents at the number 10 position. 20-year-old [[Danny Cipriani]] was the main back up stand-off throughout the tournament (along with [[Charlie Hodgson]]), and replaced Wilkinson in the starting line-up for the last match of the tournament against Ireland. This was only the second time in his England career that Wilkinson was dropped to the bench (the first time being for the [[1999 Rugby World Cup]] quarter final match with South Africa for which [[Paul Grayson (rugby union)|Paul Grayson]] was preferred). However, close to the start of the second half during the Ireland match on 15 March, Wilkinson was brought off the bench to replace [[Toby Flood]], thus playing alongside Cipriani at [[inside centre]].<ref>{{cite news | work= The Daily Telegraph| title= Jonny Wilkinson: Danny Cipriani a joy to watch | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2008/03/17/urwilk117.xml |access-date=17 March 2008 |date=17 March 2008 | location=London | first=Charlie | last=Caroe}}{{dead link|date=July 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> This suggests a possible synthesis to the balance of nurturing up-and-coming fly-halves while incorporating the leading player in the position in recent years into the squad.

Following the Ireland match and speculation about Wilkinson's future as the England number 10, [[Lawrence Dallaglio]] expressed his opinion that Wilkinson was unlikely to let the position be handed to Cipriani from then on: the competition for the place was likely to inspire Wilkinson, rather than discourage him.<ref name="2008CiprianiCompetition">{{cite news|work=BBC News|title=Cipriani 'can improve Wilkinson'|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/7299361.stm|access-date=16 March 2008|date=16 March 2008|location=UK}}</ref>

Despite competition over his position, Wilkinson ended the 2008 Six Nations as the tournament's top points scorer, with 50 points. He was not considered for [[Martin Johnson (rugby union)|Martin Johnson's]] first [[England national rugby union team|England]] squad (the 2008 summer tour of [[All Blacks|New Zealand]]) due to a shoulder injury. He was joined by [[Danny Cipriani]] on the sidelines after the Wasps player also missed out due to injury. On 1 July 2008, Wilkinson was named in [[Martin Johnson (rugby union)|Martin Johnson's Elite Player Squad]] and was the only specialist fly-half in the squad.

===2008-2009 Guinness Premiership season===
Wilkinson made his recovery from shoulder surgery to score 22 points on his return game against [[Northampton Saints|Northampton]] on 14 September 2008, including a 45-metre last minute drop goal. Further sparkling performances and robust play indicated Wilkinson was playing injury free and back to his best. Unfortunately, the injury jinx struck again in the [[Guinness Premiership]] fixture against [[Gloucester Rugby|Gloucester]] on 30 September 2008. Wilkinson was forced off the field with a dislocated knee, which left him unavailable for England's autumn internationals and for the rest of the [[2008-09 Guinness Premiership]] season.<ref name="2008DislocatedKneeLayoff">{{cite news|work=BBC News|title=Wilkinson set to the miss Six Nations|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/english/7659262.stm|access-date=10 October 2008 |date=10 October 2008|location=UK}}</ref> Wilkinson's injury facilitated a recall to the [[England national rugby union team|England]] squad for the Autumn Internationals for [[Danny Cipriani]], who had returned from a serious ankle injury on 1 October 2008. In May 2009, it was confirmed that Wilkinson had ended his 12 years with the [[Newcastle Falcons|Falcons]] to join the French team [[RC Toulonnais|Toulon]] for the [[2009-10 Top 14 season]].<ref name="2009JoinToulonConfirmed">{{cite news|work=BBC News|title=Falcons boss backs Wilkinson move|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/my_club/newcastle/8059484.stm|access-date=20 May 2009|date=20 May 2009|location=UK}}</ref>

===2009 autumn internationals===
Wilkinson made a successful injury free comeback to international test rugby on 7 November against Australia after an 18-month absence. He then went on to play consecutive games against Argentina on 14 November and New Zealand on 21 November. Wilkinson along with [[Lewis Moody]] were England's most consistent performers as they lost to Australia and New Zealand and narrowly beat Argentina. During the first two games he was partnered with [[Shane Geraghty]] at inside centre for the third game he was partnered with [[Ayoola Erinle]] at inside centre. {{citation needed|date=December 2014}}

[[File:ST vs RCT 2012 12 Jonny Wilkinson kicking a penalty (cropped).jpg|thumb|Wilkinson playing for Toulon]]

===2007–2014===
Because of a succession of injuries – affecting his knee [[ligaments]], arm, shoulder and kidney – Wilkinson's international career was severely disrupted. He did not appear again for England until 1,169 days after the [[2003 Rugby World Cup]] triumph, for the opening game of the [[2007 Six Nations Championship]] against Scotland on 3 February 2007.<ref name="injuryhist">{{cite news|work=BBC News|title=Wilkinson: The Comeback Kid|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/6313753.stm|access-date=31 January 2007|date=4 February 2007|location=UK}}</ref> In his comeback international match, Wilkinson scored 27&nbsp;points (a record in the [[Calcutta Cup]]) in a full house (scoring points by all four possible methods), and was proclaimed Man of the Match.<ref name="Englandreturn">{{cite news|work=BBC News|title=Wilkinson relief after comeback|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/6328327.stm|access-date=3 February 2007|date=3 February 2007|location=UK}}</ref>

The following week against [[Italy national rugby union team|Italy]], he became the highest point-scorer in the history of the [[Six Nations Championship|Five/Six Nations Championship]] (he has since been overtaken by [[Ronan O'Gara]] of Ireland).<ref name="O'Gara Claims record">{{cite news|work= BBC News|title=O'Gara claims record|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/7941772.stm|access-date=15 March 2009|date=14 March 2009|location=UK|first=Rob|last=Hodgetts}}</ref> On 6 October 2007, he also became the highest point-scorer in the history of the [[Rugby World Cup]], kicking four penalties to overtake Scotland's [[Gavin Hastings]] in a quarter-final against Australia.

In a [[2008 Six Nations Championship]] match against Italy, Wilkinson became the first English player (and third overall)<ref>{{cite news | first = Rob | last = Hodgetts | title = England 44-22 Samoa | date = 22 September 2007 | url= https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/7008462.stm|work= [[BBC]] |access-date= 25 January 2019 }}</ref> to score {{formatnum:1000}} Test points.{{clarify |date=January 2019 |reason= As stated in the source added, Wilkinson was not the 2nd player overall to reach the 1000 points, but the 3rd. Furthermore, the text reads that Wilkinson scored {{formatnum:1000}} test points in 2008 but it was actually in the RWC 2007 (including of course the test points with the British & Irish Lions}}
He is also the world record [[drop goal]] scorer in international rugby with a total of 36.<ref name="DropGoalRecord">{{cite web|publisher=england-rugby.com|title=Jonny Drops His Way to World Record|url=http://www.england-rugby.com/englandrugby/index.cfm?fuseaction=News.News_Detail&storyid=19123|access-date=25 February 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081204082652/http://www.england-rugby.com/EnglandRugby/index.cfm?fuseaction=News.News_Detail&storyid=19123|archive-date=4 December 2008}}</ref> In March 2008, he became the highest international point-scorer, overtaking [[Neil Jenkins]] of Wales.<ref name="InternationalPointsRecord">{{cite news|work=The Daily Telegraph|title=Jonny Wilkinson claims Test points record|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2008/03/08/urwilk108.xml|access-date=8 March 2008|location=UK|first1=Charlie|last1=Caroe|date=8 March 2008}}{{dead link|date=July 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> In September 2008 he was injured again, ending his [[2008-09 Guinness Premiership]] season.<ref name="2008DislocatedKnee">{{cite news|work=The Daily Telegraph|title=Jonny Wilkinson faces another lay-of|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/england/3118175/Jonny-Wilkinson-faces-another-lay-off-Rugby-Union.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/england/3118175/Jonny-Wilkinson-faces-another-lay-off-Rugby-Union.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=2 October 2008|date=2 October 2008|location=UK|first=Mick|last=Cleary}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

In July 2009 he was recalled into the England Elite Squad for the first time since the [[2008 Six Nations Championship]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.scrum.com/england/rugby/story/99683.html|title=Cipriani demoted from elite squad |date=7 July 2009|work=ESPN Scrum|access-date=8 July 2009}}</ref> and was confirmed in the squad for the 2009 Autumn internationals after a successful run of games with Toulon.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/england/6462661/Jonny-Wilkinson-back-in-a-good-place-with-England.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/england/6462661/Jonny-Wilkinson-back-in-a-good-place-with-England.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Jonny Wilkinson back in a good place with England|date=30 September 2009|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=30 September 2009|location=UK|first=Mick|last=Cleary}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Wilkinson was then selected to tour Australia with the elite squad but was not selected as first choice fly half, nevertheless Wilkinson landed the winning points in the second test between England and Australia. Injury forced him to miss out on the [[2010 end of year rugby tests|2010 autumn internationals]], in the process losing his position as the all-time leading points scorer in test rugby to [[Dan Carter]]. However, Wilkinson reclaimed the record during the [[2011 Six Nations Championship]], a tournament during which he came off the bench in each of England's five games. He again lost the record to Carter in July 2011. On 12 December 2011, he announced his retirement from Test Rugby.<ref name="Jonny Wilkinson retires from England duty"/>

===Toulon===
In May 2009 Wilkinson agreed to join French club [[RC Toulonnais|Toulon]] on a two-year contract, leaving Newcastle after 12 years.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/8056210.stm|title=Wilkinson agrees to join RC Toulonnais|date=18 May 2009|work=[[BBC Sport]]|access-date=18 May 2009|location=London}}</ref>

In April 2013 Wilkinson played the full 80 minutes in Toulon's [[Heineken Cup]] Quarter-Final, scoring all 21 points against [[Leicester Tigers]]. Wilkinson then landed 7 penalties and a drop goal to defeat [[Owen Farrell]]'s [[Saracens F.C.|Saracens]].
In May 2013 he scored 11 points as Toulon won the [[2013 Heineken Cup Final]] by 16–15 against [[ASM Clermont Auvergne|Clermont Auvergne]].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.espn.co.uk/heineken-cup-2012-13/rugby/story/182967.html|title= Toulon claim Heineken Cup glory|date=18 March 2013|publisher=ESPN|access-date=20 May 2013 }}</ref> Wilkinson finished as the ERC European Player of the Year for the 2013 tournament, having not missed a single place kick in the knockouts with 17 from 17 attempts and finished with 56 points in the knockouts alone and 108 points in the entire tournament.

On 24 May 2014, he led Toulon to a decisive 23–6 win against Saracens in the [[2014 Heineken Cup Final]]. He scored 13 points in the game.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/may/24/jonny-wilkinson-proud-toulon-heineken-cup-final|title=Jonny Wilkinson: 'I cannot say how proud I am to be a part of this'|author=Paul Rees|work=The Observer|date=24 May 2014}}</ref> One week later on 31 May 2014, he led Toulon once again to another win in a final, this time the [[2013–14 Top 14 season|Top 14 Final]] against Castres in which Toulon won 18–10.  Wilkinson kicked 15 points. This was the last match of his career.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/club/10867838/Jonny-Wilkinson-bows-out-in-style-as-Toulon-beat-Castres-to-claim-Top-14-play-off-final-a-winner-to-the-end-....html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140601055302/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/club/10867838/Jonny-Wilkinson-bows-out-in-style-as-Toulon-beat-Castres-to-claim-Top-14-play-off-final-a-winner-to-the-end-....html |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 June 2014 |title=Jonny Wilkinson bows out in style as Toulon beat Castres to claim Top 14 play-off final – a winner to the end...|author=Jim White|date=31 May 2014|work=The Daily Telegraph}}</ref> After the final whistle, supporters from both clubs sang "[[God Save the Queen]]" in tribute to him.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/jun/01/jonny-wilkinson-french-god-save-the-queen|title=Jonny Wilkinson signs off with French fans singing God Save the Queen|date=1 June 2014|website=The Guardian}}</ref>

Wikinson's contribution to Toulon's success, as well as his historic strengths, increased experience and very high kicking success rate, included his leadership role within a superstar and multi-cultural team; 
*''"One of the reasons the team is so successful is because it’s driven by him. He’s the leader and he puts in more work than anyone but he’s incredibly humble. It’s a team full of superstars but they can’t let their egos get the better of them because Jonny’s in charge. He’s the most famous and the most talented but also the most grounded. In his team talks he speaks first in perfect French and then repeats it in English."''<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2014/may/23/jonny-wilkinson-rugby-career|title=Jonny Wilkinson: 'the most famous, most talented, most grounded'|date=23 May 2014|website=The Guardian}}</ref> 
Wilkinson was the highest paid player in French rugby.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/european-rugby/10868836/Jonny-Wilkinson-ends-his-playing-career-on-a-high-note.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/european-rugby/10868836/Jonny-Wilkinson-ends-his-playing-career-on-a-high-note.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Jonny Wilkinson ends his playing career on a high note|website=www.telegraph.co.uk|date=June 2014 }}{{cbignore}}</ref>

===Retirement===
In May 2014, Wilkinson announced that he would retire from all rugby at the end of the season.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/england/10840573/Jonny-Wilkinson-announces-retirement-from-all-forms-of-rugby-at-the-end-of-season.html|title= Jonny Wilkinson announces retirement from all forms of rugby at the end of season|date=19 May 2014|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=21 May 2014}}</ref>

==International records==
[[File:Jonny Wilkinson Twickenham cropped.jpg|thumb|Wilkinson at Twickenham]]

England won 67 of the 91 games Wilkinson played in.<ref name="Jonny Wilkinson retires from England duty"/> Wilkinson scored a record 29th Test [[drop goal]] against [[France national rugby union team|France]] in the [[2008 Six Nations Championship]]. His first converted penalty against [[Scotland national rugby union team|Scotland]] on 8 March 2008, took him 3 points past [[Wales national rugby union team|Wales]]'s [[Neil Jenkins]] tally of 1090 Test rugby points. This achievement came due to the [[World Rugby|IRB]] (now known as World Rugby) retroactively granting full Test status to the 2005 [[British & Irish Lions]] warm-up test against [[Argentina national rugby union team|Argentina]], in which he scored 20 points, without which he would have remained behind Jenkins on that day. Two more penalties in the second half took his tally to 1099 points.

On 26 February 2011, Wilkinson regained the record for the highest tally of International points, overtaking [[Dan Carter]] of [[New Zealand national rugby union team|New Zealand]] by scoring a penalty against [[France national rugby union team|France]] in a [[2011 Six Nations Championship|Six Nations]] match at [[Twickenham Stadium|Twickenham]]. Carter then reclaimed the record on 30 July 2011<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/14329923|work=BBC News|title=New Zealand humble South Africa|date=30 July 2011}}</ref> in the second [[2011 Tri Nations Series]] match against South Africa. Wilkinson passed Ronan O'Gara (522) to regain the overall points record total of 526 in the [[2010 Six Nations Championship]], on 13 March 2010. Wilkinson holds the [[Rugby World Cup]] points record with 277.

As of 2015, Wilkinson had made more tackles in world cups than any other back.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/news/104777|title=Jonny Wilkinson praises industry of France fly-half Freddie Michalak &#124; Rugby World Cup|website=www.rugbyworldcup.com |date=7 September 2025 }}</ref>

==Honours==
In 2002, Wilkinson was appointed [[Member of the Order of the British Empire]] (MBE). In the 2004 [[New Year Honours]], he was promoted to Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).<ref>{{cite web|title=Jonny Wilkinson: 17 years of breaking rugby records|url=http://www.itv.com/news/tyne-tees/2014-05-19/jonny-wilkinson-17-years-of-breaking-rugby-records/|website=ITV News|access-date=13 June 2015|date=19 May 2014}}</ref> In the 2015 [[Queen's Birthday Honours]], he was promoted to Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) 'for services to Rugby Union'.<ref name="LG 13 June 2015">{{London Gazette |issue=61256 |date=13 June 2015 |pages=B8–B10  |supp=y }}</ref>

On 3 April 2009 at [[Guildford Cathedral]], Wilkinson was awarded an honorary doctorate by the [[University of Surrey]] for services to the sports industry.<ref name="Honorary Doctorate for Wilkinson">{{cite web|work=surrey.ac.uk|url=http://www2.surrey.ac.uk/mediacentre/press/2009/3840_university_of_surrey_awards_honorary_doctorate_to_jonny_wilkinson.htm|title=University of Surrey awards honorary doctorate to Jonny Wilkinson|access-date=4 June 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410185805/http://www2.surrey.ac.uk/mediacentre/press/2009/3840_university_of_surrey_awards_honorary_doctorate_to_jonny_wilkinson.htm|archive-date=10 April 2009}}</ref> Wilkinson announced his retirement from the English national squad in early December 2011.<ref name="Jonny Wilkinson retires from England duty">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/16151002|title=Jonny Wilkinson retires from England duty|date=12 December 2011|work=BBC News |access-date=12 December 2011}}</ref>

On 17 November 2016, he was inducted into the [[World Rugby Hall of Fame]] at the opening ceremony for the Hall's first physical location in [[Rugby, Warwickshire]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-38003317 |title=World Rugby Hall of Fame: Jonny Wilkinson attends launch |publisher=BBC News Coventry & Warwickshire |date=17 November 2016 |access-date=6 October 2017}}</ref>

===Newcastle Falcons===
*[[Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]: [[1997–98 English Premiership (rugby union)|1997–98]]
*[[Anglo-Welsh Cup|Powergen Cup]]: 2001, 2004

===Toulon===
*[[European Rugby Champions Cup|Heineken Cup]]: [[2012–13 Heineken Cup|2012–13]], [[2013–14 Heineken Cup|2013–14]]
*[[Top 14]]: [[2013–14 Top 14 season|2013–14]]

===International===
;[[England national rugby union team|England]]
*'''[[Six Nations Championship]]''':
**'''Winner (4):''' [[2000 Six Nations Championship|2000]], [[2001 Six Nations Championship|2001]], [[2003 Six Nations Championship|2003]], [[2011 Six Nations Championship|2011]]
*'''[[Grand Slam (rugby union)|Grand Slam]]''':
**'''Winner (1):''' [[2003 Six Nations Championship|2003]]
*'''[[Triple Crown (rugby union)|Triple Crown]]''':
**'''Winner (3):''' [[1998 Five Nations Championship|1998]], [[2002 Six Nations Championship|2002]], [[2003 Six Nations Championship|2003]]
*'''[[Rugby World Cup|World Cup]]''':
**'''Winner (1):''' [[2003 Rugby World Cup|2003]]

==Statistics==

===International tries===
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:auto; width:100%"
|-
!colspan=7|Jonny Wilkinson's International Tries<ref>[http://www.scrum.com/statsguru/rugby/player/12757.html?class=1;filter=advanced;orderby=date;template=results;triesmin1=1;triesval1=tries;type=player;view=match Player Analysis: Jonny Wilkinson], ESPN Scrum, 14 March 2010.</ref>
|-
! style="width:60px;"|Try  !! style="width:175px;"|Opponent !! style="width:200px;"|City/Country !! style="width:175px;"|Venue !! style="width:175px;"|Competition  !! style="width:50px;"|Year
|-
| '''[1]''' || {{ru|ITA}} || London, England || [[Twickenham Stadium|Twickenham]] || [[1999 Rugby World Cup|Rugby World Cup]] || 1999
|-
| '''[2]''' || {{ru|ITA}} || London, England || Twickenham || [[2001 Six Nations Championship|Six Nations]] || 2001
|-
| '''[3]'''* || {{ru|AUS}} || Sydney, Australia || [[Stadium Australia]] || [[2001 British Lions tour to Australia|Test match]] || 2001
|-
| '''[4]''' || {{ru|IRE}} || London, England || Twickenham || [[2002 Six Nations Championship|Six Nations]] || 2002
|-
| '''[5]''' || {{ru|WAL}} || London, England || Twickenham || [[2002 Six Nations Championship|Six Nations]] || 2002
|-
| '''[6]''' || {{ru|NZ}} || London, England || Twickenham || Test match || 2002
|-
| '''[7]''' || {{ru|SCO}} || London, England || Twickenham || [[2007 Six Nations Championship|Six Nations]] || 2007
|-
|colspan=6|<small>*Try number three was scored while playing for the [[British & Irish Lions]]</small>
|}

===International analysis by opposition===
{| class="sortable wikitable"
|-
! Against
! Played
! Won
! Lost
! Drawn
! Tries
! Points
! % Won
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{ru|ARG}}* || {{center|4}} || {{center|3}} || {{center|0}} || {{center|1}} || {{center|0}} || {{center|53}} || {{center|{{#expr:3/4*100 round 2}}}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{ru|AUS}}* || {{center|14}} || {{center|8}} || {{center|6}} || {{center|0}} || {{center|1}} || {{center|150}} || {{center|{{#expr:8/14*100 round 2}}}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{ru|CAN}} || {{center|1}} || {{center|1}} || {{center|0}} || {{center|0}} || {{center|0}} || {{center|11}} || {{center|{{#expr:1/1*100 round 2}}}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{ru|FIJ}} || {{center|1}} || {{center|1}} || {{center|0}} || {{center|0}} || {{center|0}} || {{center|23}} || {{center|{{#expr:1/1*100 round 2}}}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{ru|FRA}} || {{center|14}} || {{center|9}} || {{center|5}} || {{center|0}} || {{center|0}} || {{center|161}} || {{center|{{#expr:9/16*100 round 2}}}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{ru|GEO}} || {{center|1}} || {{center|1}} || {{center|0}} || {{center|0}} || {{center|0}} || {{center|16}} || {{center|{{#expr:1/1*100 round 2}}}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{ru|IRE}} || {{center|11}} || {{center|7}} || {{center|4}} || {{center|0}} || {{center|1}} || {{center|107}} || {{center|{{#expr:7/11*100 round 2}}}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{ru|ITA}} || {{center|9}} || {{center|9}} || {{center|0}} || {{center|0}} || {{center|2}} || {{center|148}} || {{center|{{#expr:9/9*100 round 2}}}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{ru|NZ}}* || {{center|7}} || {{center|2}} || {{center|5}} || {{center|0}} || {{center|1}} || {{center|64}} || {{center|{{#expr:2/7*100 round 2}}}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{ru|ROM}} || {{center|1}} || {{center|1}} || {{center|0}} || {{center|0}} || {{center|0}} || {{center|9}} || {{center|{{#expr:1/1*100 round 2}}}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{ru|SAM}} || {{center|2}} || {{center|2}} || {{center|0}} || {{center|0}} || {{center|0}} || {{center|39}} || {{center|{{#expr:2/2*100 round 2}}}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{ru|SCO}} || {{center|10}} || {{center|7}} || {{center|2}} || {{center|1}} || {{center|1}} || {{center|114}} || {{center|{{#expr:7/10*100 round 2}}}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{ru|RSA}} || {{center|9}} || {{center|5}} || {{center|4}} || {{center|0}} || {{center|0}} || {{center|127}} || {{center|{{#expr:5/9*100 round 2}}}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{ru|TON}} || {{center|1}} || {{center|1}} || {{center|0}} || {{center|0}} || {{center|0}} || {{center|16}} || {{center|{{#expr:1/1*100 round 2}}}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{ru|USA}} || {{center|1}} || {{center|1}} || {{center|0}} || {{center|0}} || {{center|0}} || {{center|26}} || {{center|{{#expr:1/1*100 round 2}}}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{ru|WAL}} || {{center|11}} || {{center|9}} || {{center|2}} || {{center|0}} || {{center|1}} || {{center|182}} || {{center|{{#expr:9/11*100 round 2}}}}
|- class="sortbottom"
! Total || 97 || 67 || 28 || 2 || 7 || 1246 || {{#expr:67/97*100 round 2}}
|-
|colspan=8|<small>*Includes matches played with the British & Irish Lions</small>
|-
|}Correct as of 18 August 2023<ref>{{cite web |title=Career Figures |url=http://en.espn.co.uk/statsguru/rugby/player/12757.html?class=1;template=results;type=player |website=espnscrum |access-date=18 August 2023 |archive-date=18 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230818223315/http://en.espn.co.uk/statsguru/rugby/player/12757.html?class=1;template=results;type=player |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Media==
Wilkinson wrote a column for ''[[The Times]]'' occasionally until 2011, often during periods of high media focus on rugby, such as [[Six Nations Championship|Six Nations]] tournaments and [[Rugby World Cup]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/public/profile/Jonny-Wilkinson|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228104827/http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/public/profile/Jonny-Wilkinson|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 December 2014|title=Jonny Wilkinson|work=[[The Times]]}}</ref> He has also written five books, which have been published by Headline. The first, ''Lions and Falcons: My Diary of a Remarkable Year'', written with [[ghostwriter]] Neil Squires who also helped Wilkinson in a few other books, was published in 2001, and followed a turbulent rugby year for him.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbynetwork.net/main/s95/st22387.htm|title=Jonny Wilkinson: Lions & Falcons |date=29 March 2003|work=Unofficial Falcon Rugby}}</ref> The diary documented the England rugby players' strike, the [[Newcastle Falcons]] winning the Powergen Cup, the [[2001 Six Nations Championship]] and the [[British & Irish Lions]] tour at the end of the year. After helping England win the Rugby World Cup with his last-ditch effort in 2003, he published his second book in 2004. The book, ''My World'', was largely picture-based, with less text than in his previous book.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2004/oct/23/rugbyunion.sportandleisurebooks|title='It's a kind of religion'|author=Simon Hattenstone|work=The Guardian|date= 23 October 2004}}</ref> The book focused on his experience of the [[2003 Rugby World Cup|2003 World Cup]], and how his life had altered following the winning drop goal.

In 2005 ''How to Play Rugby My Way'', which accompanied the BBC series ''Jonny's Hotshots'', was published. It was largely a coaching/instruction manual, with tips and techniques for rugby playing. It also included small insights into Wilkinson's family life and the relationships which have allowed his rugby playing to flourish.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.headline.co.uk/books/detail.page?isbn=9780755314843|title=How to Play Rugby My Way: by Jonny Wilkinson|work=Headline|access-date=21 September 2014|archive-date=30 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130730160750/http://www.headline.co.uk/Books/detail.page?isbn=9780755314843|url-status=dead}}</ref> Wilkinson's next book, ''Tackling Life'', was published in 2008.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2008/oct/02/wilkinson.rugby.england|title=Don't write Jonny Wilkinson off just yet|author=Andy Bull|date=2 October 2008|work=The Guardian}}</ref> This book focuses on how his attitude to life changed after his injury woes, and how he overcame them. His fifth book, ''Jonny: My Autobiography'', was published in 2011.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/nov/10/the-breakdown-jonny-wilkinson|title=Jonny Wilkinson's autobiography reveals him to be a tortured soul|author=Paul Rees|date=10 November 2011|work=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesportsbookshelf.com/2011/11/jonny-wilkinson-invites-his-fans-on.html|title=Jonny Wilkinson invites his fans on a fresh tour of his tortured soul|date=8 November 2011|work=The Sports Bookshelf|access-date=21 September 2014|archive-date=28 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228080029/http://www.thesportsbookshelf.com/2011/11/jonny-wilkinson-invites-his-fans-on.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Since his retirement from playing, Wilkinson has appeared as a studio pundit for [[Sky Sports]] and [[ITV Sport]], working on coverage of the [[European Rugby Champions Cup|Champions Cup]], [[Six Nations Championship]], [[Rugby World Cup]] and England Internationals.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jonny Wilkinson interview|url=http://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/rugby-union/9518822/jonny-wilkinson-interview|website=SkySports|access-date=25 March 2018|language=en}}</ref>

==Coaches and mentors==
Steve Black, the Newcastle Falcons' fitness trainer, was particularly influential on Wilkinson's rugby career.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/wilkinson-loses-his-mentor-6615626.html|title=Wilkinson loses his mentor|date=13 April 2012|website=www.standard.co.uk}}</ref> Wilkinson has previously stated that he respects Black a great deal, and that Black taught him a lot about "values and ethics".<ref name="myway">Wilkinson, Jonny. ''How to Play Rugby My Way'', Headline Publishing (2005), pp. 214–15. {{ISBN|0-7553-1337-2}}</ref>

Wilkinson also worked with kicking coach Dave Alred.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/16159734|title=England exit for Wilkinson mentor|work=BBC Sport }}</ref>

==Mental conditioning==
Wilkinson has been open about managing the stresses he felt during his playing career.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.express.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/935231/Jonny-Wilkinson-Toulon-Dave-Alfred-rugby-union-anxiety-coach-captain|title=Jonny Wilkinson EXCLUSIVE: England rugby hero opens up on mental health problems|first=Neil|last=Squires|date=24 March 2018|website=Express.co.uk}}</ref>

==Personal life==
===Family===
Wilkinson's older brother, [[Mark Wilkinson (rugby union)|Mark]], was also a Newcastle player who made 16 appearances in the Premiership for the side between 2002 and 2005, predominantly as a centre.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espnscrum.com/england/rugby/player/126837.html|title=England/ Players & Officials/ Mark Wilkinson|publisher=ESPN|access-date=6 May 2013}}</ref> His father, Phil, was a rugby player and cricketer, and his mother, Philippa, played squash at county level.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sportacademy/parent/hi//newsid_3050000/newsid_3054200/3054205.stm|title=SPORT ACADEMY PARENT: The Wilkinsons|work=BBC Sport|access-date=6 May 2013|first=Phil|last=Wilkinson|date=14 July 2003}}</ref>
===Marriage===
On 28 October 2013, Wilkinson married his girlfriend of eight years, scaffolding company heiress Shelley Jenkins, in a private ceremony at the town hall of the French resort of [[Bandol]], to the west of [[Toulon]]. Only two guests, one of them Wilkinson's mother, were present at the ceremony officiated by Bandol mayor Christian Palix, who said that "both [are] viewed with great respect" in the community.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/rugby-world-cup-hero-jonny-wilkinson-marries-longterm-girlfriend-shelley-jenkins-8910532.html|title=Rugby World Cup hero Jonny Wilkinson marries long-term girlfriend Shelley Jenkins|first=Peter|last=Allen|newspaper=[[London Evening Standard]]|date=29 October 2013|access-date=29 October 2013}}</ref>

===Fineside===
In September 2011, Wilkinson launched Fineside, an online men's fashion label.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/8728144/Jonny-Wilkinson-to-launch-clothes-range-Fineside.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/8728144/Jonny-Wilkinson-to-launch-clothes-range-Fineside.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Jonny Wilkinson to launch clothes range Fineside|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=29 August 2011|access-date=16 September 2012|last=Tyler|first=Richard|location=UK}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

===No.1 Living===
In 2018, Wilkinson founded [[kombucha]] company, No.1 Living, after brewing kombucha with his wife at home and discovering the benefits of a "living diet".<ref name="thegrocer.co.uk">{{cite web|url=https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/new-product-development/jonny-wilkinson-launches-no1-kombucha-drinks/567383.article|title=Jonny Wilkinson launches No1 Kombucha drinks|date=23 May 2018|website=thegrocer.co.uk}}</ref>

===Attitudes and philosophy===
Wilkinson followed [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] principles and teachings to help control his perfectionist tendencies, according to an interview he gave with ''[[The Times]]'' newspaper in 2009.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/rugby_union/article4782380.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604173243/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/rugby_union/article4782380.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 June 2011|title=Jonny Wilkinson: The quantum leap that saved me from despair|work=[[The Times]]|date=19 September 2008|access-date=14 August 2009|location=UK|first=Matthew|last=Syed}}</ref>

Wilkinson seeks to live consciously rather than reactively, and to embrace all the positive aspects of humanity such as acceptance, compassion and a true connection with others.<ref name="express.co.uk">{{Cite web|url=https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/life/1005698/5-things-cant-live-without-jonny-wilkinson-rugby-union-tv-pundit|title=Jonny Wilkinson: 5 things I can't live without|date=20 August 2018|website=Express.co.uk}}</ref>

===Diet===
Wilkinson is widely known as a [[teetotaler|teetotaller]], but broke that habit after England lost to South Africa in the [[2007 Rugby World Cup Final]].<ref name="RWC2007Final1">{{cite news|work=Reuters|title= Teetotal Wilkinson nursed Cup hangover|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/sportsNews/idUKL2249417020071022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071024132236/http://uk.reuters.com/article/sportsNews/idUKL2249417020071022|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 October 2007|access-date=22 October 2007|date=22 October 2007}}</ref> Wilkinson seeks to eat natural foods, avoiding toxins.<ref name="express.co.uk"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/16308029.health-ex-england-newcastle-ace-jonny-wilkinson-kicks-struggles-touch/|title=Health: Jonny Wilkinson kicks his struggles into touch|website=The Northern Echo|date=22 June 2018 }}</ref>

==Awards==
In December 2005, Wilkinson was awarded an honorary doctorate in Civil Law by [[Northumbria University]].

He was the 2003 BBC Sports Personality of the Year, the 2003 International Rugby Board (IRB) International Player of the Year and the 2013 (ERC) European Player of the Year.

In 2025, he was an inaugural inductee of the [[Stadium Australia Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Stadium Australia Hall of Fame |url=https://www.accorstadium.com.au/stadium_australia_hall_of_fame |access-date=2025-09-16 |website=Accor Stadium |language=en}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of top English points scorers and try scorers]]
* [[List of leading rugby union test point scorers]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==
* Wilkinson, Jonny, (2001, 2002). ''Lions and Falcons: My Diary of a Remarkable Year'', Headline Book Publishing, ({{ISBN|0-7472-4243-7}})
* Wilkinson, Jonny, (2004). ''My World'', Headline Book Publishing, ({{ISBN|0-7472-4276-3}})
* Wilkinson, Jonny, (2005). ''How to Play Rugby My Way'', Headline Book Publishing, ({{ISBN|0-7553-1337-2}})

==External links==
{{Commons category|Jonny Wilkinson}}
{{Wikiquote}}
* [http://www.jonnywilkinson.com Jonny Wilkinson's Official Website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081013030220/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/sport/columnists/jonny_wilkinson Jonny Wilkinson's column for ''The Times'']
* [http://www.rctoulon.com/en/rct/joueur/wilkinson/ RC Toulon profile]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060426163533/http://www.adidas.com/athlete/jonny_wilkinson.asp Adidas.com profile]
* {{ESPNscrum}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110826053052/http://www.rfu.com/SquadsAndPlayers/EnglandElite/JonnyWilkinson.aspx England Rugby profile]
* {{IMDb name}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-sports}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Martin Johnson (rugby union)|Martin Johnson]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=England national rugby union team captain|years=Mar 2003}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Martin Johnson (rugby union)|Martin Johnson]]}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Jason Robinson (rugby)|Jason Robinson]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=England national rugby union team captain|years=Jun 2007}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Phil Vickery (rugby union)|Phil Vickery]]}}
{{end}}

{{England 2011 Rugby World Cup squad}}
{{England 2007 Rugby World Cup squad}}
{{British and Irish Lions 2005}}
{{England 2003 Rugby World Cup squad}}
{{British and Irish Lions 2001}}
{{England 1999 Rugby World Cup squad}}
{{English national rugby union team captains}}
{{BBC Sports Personality of the Year winners}}
{{World Rugby Player of the Year}}
{{European Rugby Player of the Year}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wilkinson, Jonny}}
[[Category:1979 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:21st-century English diarists]]
[[Category:BBC Sports Personality of the Year winners]]
[[Category:British & Irish Lions rugby union players from England]]
[[Category:Converts to Buddhism]]
[[Category:England international rugby union players]]
[[Category:English rugby union players]]
[[Category:English Buddhists]]
[[Category:English expatriate rugby union players in France]]
[[Category:Newcastle Red Bulls players]]
[[Category:Commanders of the Order of the British Empire]]
[[Category:People educated at Lord Wandsworth College]]
[[Category:People educated at Pierrepont School, Frensham]]
[[Category:Rugby union players from Frimley]]
[[Category:RC Toulon players]]
[[Category:Rugby union fly-halves]]
[[Category:World Rugby Awards winners]]
[[Category:World Rugby Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:World Rugby Players of the Year]]
[[Category:English autobiographers]]
[[Category:1999 Rugby World Cup players]]
[[Category:2003 Rugby World Cup players]]
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[[Category:English rugby union commentators]]
[[Category:English columnists]]
[[Category:The Times people]]