Jonny Wilkinson has retired from international rugby at the age of 32. Best known for kicking the winning drop goal in the 2003 Rugby World Cup final, Wilkinson will be remembered as one of the highest point scorers in the game. He finishes his international career with 1246 points, including 67 for the British & Irish Lions, scoring 255 penalties, 169 conversion, 7 tries and 36 drop goals, the last of which is a world record.
“I would like to take this opportunity to announce my retirement from international rugby. To do so fills me with great sadness but I know that I have been blessed in so many ways to have experienced what I have with the England rugby team. I never ever believed that I would be able to give up on this dream which has driven me to live, breathe, love and embrace the game of rugby from the earliest days that I can remember.
“I certainly have no intention of letting this decision change the way that I approach my training and preparation for games. In fact early indication shows me that I’m actually getting more intense about it. Playing the game, representing the team, giving my all and never letting go has meant everything to me. The time has come, however, for me to realise that I have gone as far as I can go with this England team and that the time is right for others to enjoy the same honour and pride that I have felt over the past 15 seasons and beyond.
“To say I have played through four World Cups, two Lions tours, 91 international games and a ridiculous number of injuries and other setbacks gives me an incredibly special feeling of fulfilment. But by now I know myself well enough to know that I will never truly be satisfied. It goes without saying that I would like to wish Stuart Lancaster, his coaches and the England squad every bit of success available to them.
“I would also very much like to extend those wishes to Martin Johnson, Brian Smith, Mike Ford, John Wells, Graham Rowntree and the rest of the England 2011 World Cup management team who have been fantastic and deserve people to know that. For me now, I will continue to focus ever harder on my goal of being the very best I can be with Toulon Rugby Club and continue to embrace and enjoy wherever that path takes me.”
Ben I don’t think Jonny would have had it any other way. Even if England had just won the World Cup I think a quiet unassuming press release would be the way he’d go about it.
Absolute legend, for 3 years or so he was absolutely peerless, he would have been the first name on the sheet for almost any team in the world. Perhaps not as rounded as Carter and I for one regret that he never quite developed into the calm, mentoring head that we hoped at international level, his Catt or Greenwood to Flood’s young Wilko. But that’s a small gripe. He tackled like no 10 before or since and now 10s can’t get away with not tackling (see Cipriani), elevated the level of goalkicking and had a work ethic that bordered on the massochistic. In those ways he pioneered major changes in rugby which have considerable influence today. Can’t see him as a head coach in future but as a kicking coach with a broader brief to mentor young players in their work ethic, conditioning etc. and helping them as people (badly needed in the English game).
Thanks for everything Jonny, a complete one off.