Johny Wilkinson Biography

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.

Their fears may have been confirmed, after a disastrous summer for Jonny in the 1998 Australian Summer Tour. However, the Newcastle team had faith in him, and he was soon back to his good form and, during the 98/99 season, he donned what was to be the infamous number ten shirt. He played several other big games before his dream to become part of the England World Cup Squad was realised, in August 1999.

The 30 man squad saw him at his finest; in his practice games against the USA and Canada, he impressed onlookers and his team, converting 13 out the 16 kicks. Then, for the opening match for England, Jonny scored a massive 32 points alone for England in their game against Italy, through tries, penalties and conversions, to conclude their win over Italy with an impressive 67-8 score. From then on, Clive Woodward had Jonny in the running for every match.

Since then, Jonny has confirmed his position as England’s Premier fly half, as well being the hardest tackling number ten in the world.

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.