Jonny Wilkinson
Jonny Wilkinson
Jonathan Peter Wilkinson, CBE, known as Jonny Wilkinson, is a former rugby union player who 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...
NationalityEnglish
ProfessionAthlete
Date of Birth25 May 1979
keen life lose memories
I'm keen to get back to life but not to lose memories like that.
approach change decision england far gone intention letting realise time training
I have no intention of letting this decision change the way that I approach my training and preparation for games, but the time has come for me to realise that I have gone as far as I can go with this England team.
england fills great rugby ways
To make this announcement fills me with great sadness, but I know I have been blessed in so many ways to have experienced what I have with the England rugby team.
ideas burgers use
I refuse to go into a fast-food outlet - to use the toilet even - in case anyone got the wrong idea and thought I was sneaking in a quick burger.
team men proud
What I am proud of is I have searched for the best of me and I have been a team man without fail.
sports motivational-sports team
I play with a fear of letting my team down. That's what motivates me.
team mates position
I only get the points because I have team-mates who do the work and put me in the position to get them.
letting-go team games
Playing the game, representing the team, giving my all and never letting go has meant everything to me.
perfection pursuit flawed
I'm pretty aware that the pursuit of perfection is, inherently, a flawed concept.
team squad people
I would like to wish the England squad every success. 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.
views preparation sides
My own position is so far on the obsessive side of preparation and professionalism that I fear my point of view is not going to be shared by anyone.
needs hard asks
We need to ask ourselves what are we here for and what have we worked so hard to be here for,
karma philosophy buddhism
Failing at something is one thing, but Buddhism tells us that it is up to us how we interpret that failure [Buddhism] a philosophy and way of life that resonates with me I identify with it. I agree with so much of the sentiment behind it. I enjoy the liberating effect it's had on me to get back into the game Buddhism, with its concepts of karma and rebirth, have freed me from the twin fears of death and life without rugby, like life, will also come to an end.
england rugby very-happy
I'm very happy to be back playing rugby for England again - there were times when I questioned if this would happen.