So it’s goodbye Jonny. English rugby is much the poorer for his departure but the time had come and the time was right.

The new coaching team of Stuart Lancaster, Graham Rowntree and Andy Farrell need to focus on the next World Cup in 2015 and finding the next Jonny Wilkinson. The search will not be easy. Wilkinson is a once-in-a-generation player.

He will forever be remembered for the drop goal – off his wrong foot – that brought England their first World Cup that famous November night in Sydney 2003. But he offered his country so much more than just a great kicking game.

At his peak, not only was he the outstanding goalkicker of his generation, but he was the best distributor of the ball in world rugby, his offensive tackling was outstanding for a fly-half and he was blessed with the calmest of temperaments.

When England were playing their best rugby in the build-up to the 2003 World Cup, Wilkinson was playing his best rugby. It was no coincidence.

From an early age, he had been earmarked as something special and he was different to the rest of the young thrusters of his era.

From his earliest days as a rugby professional, Wilkinson stretched the boundaries of dedication to new levels. His lengthy kicking practices are legendary. No-one put more time in to perfect their craft. No-one showed the intense motivation he showed.

The dark, windswept expanses of Kingston Park in Newcastle provided the young number 10 with his playground. Or his torture chamber, depending on which way you look at it.

If kicking a rugby ball was what Wilkinson was born to do, then he turned himself into a mightily impressive all-round international fly-half. His passing was outstanding and his defence was worthy of the highest class of flanker.

Cast your mind back a few years to when his shoulder was in full working order and he was scything players down in midfield with a well-timed hit.

I will never forget one particular moment at the Stade de France in the Six Nations when the rangy Emile N’Tamack was weaving a path through heavy traffic and beginning to gain some serious momentum. Wilkinson appeared from nowhere and, with a momentum and timing all of his own, cut the winger in half.

You could hear the whole stadium wince at the impact. You expect this from muscle-bound back rowers. It was far from normal to see it from a fly-half.

His bravery and relish in defence caused problems, of course. Matt Dawson, a World Cup-winning team-mate of Wilkinson’s and a BBC Radio 5live commentary colleague, was forever shouting at him to get out of rucks and concentrate on standing at first receiver, ready to dictate the next play.

Wilkinson’s willingness to put his body on the line certainly caused him problems, as numerous “stinger” injuries and worse afflicted him over the years. Similar to the ever-reckless Lewis Moody, Wilkinson had little regard for his own safety.

Wilkinson’s debilitating injuries also defined him. Or rather, the manner in which he set about denying the toll on his limbs defined him. He repeatedly refused to allow his ailing shoulders, neck, knees or groin to get him down and count him out.

In the period immediately after the 2003 World Cup, he suffered more than most players might expect in an entire career. Yet back he came, displaying astonishing resilience time after time, reclaiming the English number 10 shirt on each separate occasion.

In the eulogies that follow his international retirement – and this is another – his failings will be largely overlooked. He was not perfect, though he constantly sought perfection.

Wilkinson was never lightning quick, never a player to strike fear into the opposition defence on the gain line. His running was characterised by a scuttling, stuttering style. Occasionally he would jink his way in and out of tackles, but his remarkable talents lay largely elsewhere.

Those who played with him a lot at international level will tell you that his game management was not his chief strength either. This may surprise a few, but Wilkinson was the executor of the strategy, not the mastermind.

His best rugby came alongside those with the vision and communication skills to direct him – the likes of Dawson, Will Greenwood and Mike Catt. They were his eyes and ears. More often than not, he implemented what they suggested. It proved a priceless ability.

Across the entirety of his 91 caps and 1,179 points for England, the additional 67 for the British and Irish Lions, the Grand Slam and the four World Cups, Wilkinson has been the most committed and humble of international sporting stars.

He was – and will remain, for his French club Toulon – all about preparation and dedication; the very epitome of professionalism.

As a role model, he is second to none. He is an extraordinary man with an extraordinary talent who gave a nation their happiest rugby moment. For many, it remains their happiest rugby memory. There is sadness in knowing that such a special performer will never again grace the grandest of stages.

BBC

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Jonnny Wilkinson has called time on his glittering international career. Here’s how his former colleagues greeted the news…

Former England coach Sir Clive Woodward – who gave Wilkinson the first of his 91 England caps in 1998 and was in charge when the number ten landed the extra-time drop-goal that won the 2003 World Cup final – said: “He was a marvellous team man.

“He set out to be the number one player in the world in his position but behind that his team ethic was fantastic and he was a real role model for that.

“I admired how he went about his business and how much work he did when no-one was around,” former England centre Woodward added.

“He did a lot on his own, studied and learned the game. It’s a lesson to any young person about what has to happen. He took his game to a whole new level.”

Here is what others had to say about Wilkinson:

Former England captain Lewis Moody: “I’m humbled to have played alongside Jonny.

“I’m saddened but his contribution over the years, his work ethic, professionalism and commitment, has been immense.

“He put everything into what he did. It was incredible to watch him train and perform. The fact he missed four years of international rugby but still amassed 97 caps is unimaginable.

“It’s a real shame he’s decided to retire but what he’s given to the sport, and a generation, is immense.

“If he puts his mind to it he could keep doing it – and I think he could have given more.

“But for him the decision is right and considering the amount of work he’s put in and the number of injuries he’s had in his career, he deserves to enjoy a long and restful retirement.”

Rugby Players’ Association chief executive Damian Hopley: “Jonny redefined the standards for rugby players in his extraordinary international playing career.

Dedication

“His capacity for hard work, continual improvement and dedication has left a lasting legacy by which future players will be judged.”

England wing Ugo Monye: “I went to school with Johnny. The way he trained then as a 16-year-old is just how he trains now,” Monye said.

Former England scrum-half Kyran Bracken: “I believe he has many years left if he wanted to.

“I imagine the new regime might want to do without him for a while…but I think he has three or four years ahead of him, enjoying himself in France.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if, come the next World Cup, a phone call comes in for him. I wouldn’t be surprised if Jonny Wilkinson put on an England shirt again.”

Interim England head coach Stuart Lancaster: “Jonny has had a fantastic international career which has spanned four World Cups and 91 caps and ranks as one of England’s greatest ever players.

“He will, of course, be remembered for that drop-goal but he is more than that, a model sportsman – down to earth and hardworking, who has never stopped trying to be the best that he can.

“Everyone who has played with, coached and watched Jonny play should feel privileged to have had an involvement with him. Not only has he been a world-class player but he has inspired thousands to play and watch the game of rugby.

“He will continue to do great things with Toulon and I would like to go and see him in France to learn from his vast knowledge and experience of 13 years at the very top of the international game.”

Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal: “It’s good news for Toulon in as much as he wears the captain’s armband.”

Sky Sports

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On the eve of England’s 2011 World Cup quarter-final against France in Auckland, Jonny Wilkinson received a fax from his long-time friend and guru, Steve Black. “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did but people will never forget how you made them feel. Make us all feel wonderful. We’ll never forget.” In Jonny’s case, Black was employing a little poetic licence. There is not a single English rugby follower who will ever forget Wilkinson’s World Cup-clinching drop goal in 2003, nor the utter delirium it prompted.

Finally, it is all over. Wilko and out. If anyone deserves a restful Test retirement it is Jonny. He did not so much lay down his body for his country as donate it entirely to Twickenham, limb by limb, joint by joint and organ by organ. Even had he not broken every points-scoring record known to man he would still have gone down in history, along with Lewis Moody, as the ultimate English patient. Many will be quietly relieved he has now walked away, rather than be carted off to the knacker’s yard.

Perhaps, too, a farewell to his international career will help him to locate the inner peace he has often found elusive. Even as a seven-year-old boy on his way to mini-rugby sessions at Farnham RFC he would frequently be sick en route, in a lay‑by or in a hedge near the clubhouse carpark. The intense pressure he placed upon himself to be the absolute best never relented.

“Right through to the end of the last World Cup game, I still couldn’t bear the thought of not being perfect or letting people down,” he confessed in his recent autobiography. “When you’re obsessive, like me, searching for something unattainable can become unhealthy … it’s like falling through the air and grabbing at the clouds.”

For those of us fortunate enough to follow Jonny’s 91-cap England career from start to finish, this sometimes made him tricky to interview. Sometimes, as he murmured away in tortured sentences which rarely had an ending, you just wanted to put your arm around him and persuade him to relax, perhaps with a sneaky beer or two. It swiftly became apparent that England’s ever-modest hero could not allow himself to do so. The 24-hour personal video camera he felt was forever fixed upon him, monitoring his commitment, would not permit it. It turned him into one of the most extraordinary sportsmen this country has ever seen. He was polite to a fault, generous with his time, the epitome of a world‑class professional sportsman. Why, then, did we so often feel sorry for him?

The impact he made on the sport of rugby union was a completely different matter. In his early England days, before the injuries and the mental toll began to bite, he redefined the definition of a world-class No10. As late as the mid-90s, fly-halves were not expected to make more than the occasional tackle, let alone impose themselves physically. Wilkinson changed all that, to the point where big forwards thought twice about thundering down his channel. Even as a callow youth behind a top-drawer, heavy-duty pack of forwards, he stood out. Add in his prodigious goalkicking off either foot and his ability to fling out long pin-point passes and you had a modern-day Wilson of the Wizard.

Sometimes, even if he could not admit it to himself, he did achieve perfection. The mental image of him sitting, weary but happy, on a concrete step beneath the stands in Bloemfontein, having scored all 27 of England’s points in a famous win over the Springboks in 2000, will never fade. I particularly remember, too, his Twickenham comeback in 2007 when he scored another 27 points, including a try, in a 42-20 victory against Scotland. As he flew in at the right corner to score, half-bird half-plane, it briefly seemed as if the aching years of rehab and misery had never happened.

And then, of course, there was the 2003 final in Sydney. We have, as Black intimated, long forgotten all the drop-goal chances he botched but the still photographs of the one which mattered will forever be etched in a million imaginations. Would his life have changed for the better had he missed? It is an interesting theory, based on Wilkinson’s reluctance to be regarded as a hero and his subsequent realisation – particularly painful for a perfectionist – that he could never improve on that particular snapshot in time. It would have haunted him for life in a very different sense had the ball sailed wide. Better, maybe, to let sleeping drops lie.

There is still time, at least, to catch him in a Toulon shirt. He will give no less of himself and, the recent World Cup aside, he has seemed a happier individual this year. Maturity has finally taught him he cannot arrange everything just so: “For so much of my career I’ve allowed myself to get massively caught up in the desire to try and control everything, especially the way people think of me. The longer it has gone on the more I have seen how one day you’re the hero, the next day you’re the villain, while I have been the same guy all along.”

It was entirely in character that, as part of his farewell message, he thanked the World Cup coaches with whom he did not always chime. Strip away the 1,246 Test points – placing him a close second in the all-time standings to New Zealand’s Dan Carter – and you have the ultimate selfless athlete who never lost sight of rugby’s core values. Any kid wanting to represent his country should read Jonny’s own verdict on his remarkable career.

“I’m not necessarily proud of the World Cups and the grand slams won or lost, the amount of points I scored, this record or that. What I am proud of is I have searched for the best of me and I have been a team man without fail.” Thanks for the memories, Jonny. English supporters will never forget how you made them feel.

Guardian

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Jonny Wilkinson has played his last game for England after retiring from internationals.

The legendary World Cup winner – who kicked England to glory in Australia in 2003 – has decided to bring down the curtain on his glittering career.
On his website, the fly-half wrote: ‘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.

‘I do, have done and always will believe that I am very capable of performing and thriving at any level of the sport.

‘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.

‘I have far too many people to thank for what I have been able to achieve but as always, it starts with my Mum and Dad, my brother Mark, my girlfriend Shelley, Steve Black, Tim Buttimore and Dave Alred as well as the rest of my family and friends.

‘I can never give enough credit to all my team mates from over the years and my physios, surgeons, doctors and coaches too who have unconditionally helped me through all kinds of thick and thin.

‘Finally I would like to show my enormous appreciation and gratitude to all the true followers of the game who have given me way, way more time and support than it has ever been reasonable for one person to ask for. You will never truly understand the effect you have all had on me and my career.

“To say I have played through four World Cups, two Lions tours, 91 international games and a ridiculous number of injuries and other set backs 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.’

DailyMail

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Newcastle were relieved that Jonny Wilkinson did not feature on his first return to his old club.

England’s World Cup winner was an unused substitute as Jimmy Gopperth, his replacement at Kingston Park, kicked two second-half penalties to snatch a 6-3 Amlin Challenge Cup win amid driving rain.

Newcastle head coach Alan Tait feared Wilkinson, who spent 11 seasons at Newcastle, would appear in the second half to dictate terms.

‘I was surprised he did not get on because he knows the pitch better than anybody,’ Tait said.

‘I thought if Jonny got on then he would stick us in the corner and we would never get out.’

A crowd of 5,579 — Newcastle’s second biggest of the season — had turned up hoping to watch Wilkinson. But he stayed in his tracksuit on a night when the officials came close to calling off the match.

Tait said: ‘Toulon did not use him because they have big games coming up in the French championship, but there are about 100 fans waiting outside the changing rooms for him so he’s going to be in for a busy night”.

Gopperth won the battle of the boot. After missing one attempt in the first half, he landed two penalties within nine minutes of the second half starting
His first was from 35 metres while his second came from the halfway line. Toulon fought back through a penalty from fly-half Julien Dumora, Wilkinson’s deputy.

Daily Mail

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ALL eyes will be trained on Jonny Wilkinson tomorrow night as the former Newcastle Falcon makes an eagerly-awaited return to Kingston Park, and Alan Tait is happy to see the World Cup winner hogging the limelight.

Wilkinson has been named in Toulon’s provisional squad for tomorrow’s Amlin Challenge Cup tie, along with another former Newcastle player, frontrower Carl Hayman.

The England international spent 12 years as a Falcons player before joining Toulon in May 2009, and this will be the first time he has lined up against the club that launched his career.

His return threatens to overshadow a game that Newcastle will surely have to win if they are to qualify for the knockout stages of the Challenge Cup, but given everything he achieved for both club and country before heading across the Channel, Tait insists it would be churlish to begrudge him centre stage.

“If it puts two or three thousand on the gate and raises a bit of money for the club, I’ll be absolutely delighted,” said the Falcons head coach. “Everyone associated with rugby knows what Jonny Wilkinson is all about and appreciates everything he’s done for the game.

“From his time up here, we all know how good a player he is and just how professional he is in everything he does. The one thing you can never take away from him is just how professionally he has handled himself right throughout his career and how much he has given to his rugby.

“The way he trains is exceptional, and with the injuries he’s had, to keep bouncing back is a really tough ask. I’ve been down the road of being injured before, and it’s incredibly tough to come back from just one of the injuries he’s had.

“He’s doing really well and I’m sure he’d love to come to the North-East, show the fans he’s still got it and put one over on us. All of our lads will respect him, and even the young lads who weren’t here when he was at the club will know all about him. It’ll be great for them to take the field against him.”

Hayman’s Falcons career was considerably shorter than Wilkinson’s, but the All Black prop also became a firm fans’ favourite during his time on Tyneside.

The 32-year-old remains one of the most talented tight-heads in world rugby, and if he packs down from the start tomorrow, Newcastle’s inexperienced front row will be in for a difficult night.

“We all know that if Carl cranks it up in the scrum, you’re in for a hard game,” said Tait. “The boys know that just from scrummaging against him in training.

“Carl was a big help in terms of working with our lads and talking to them. It will be a challenge for any loose-head we put up against him.

“He’s another great professional, and he brings a lot more to the table than your average scrummager.

He is probably the ultimate tight-head when you talk about an all-round game.”

Teams for Thursday’s game at Kingston Park

Newcastle Falcons v Toulon
Thursday 8th December 2011, Kick-off 19:45
15. Greg Goosen, 14. Luke Eves, 13. Jamie Helleur, 12. James Fitzpatrick, 11. Ryan Shortland, 10. Jimmy Gopperth, 9. Jordi Pasqualin, 1. Grant Shiells, 2. Joe Graham, 3. Euan Murray, 4. James Hudson, 5. Andrew Van der Heijden, 6. Mark Wilson, 7. Will Welch, 8. Richard Mayhew,
16. Ashley Wells, 17. Darren Fearn, 18. Dan Frazier, 19. Tai Tuifua, 20. Allister Hogg, 21. Will Chudley, 22. Chris Pilgrim, 23. Tom Catterick,

15. Luke Rooney, 14. Jeremy Sinzelle, 13. Mathieu Bastareaud, 12. Geoffroy Messina, 11. Benjamin Lapeyre, 10. Julien Dumora, 9. Laurent Magnaval, 1. Eifion Lewis-Roberts, 2. Jean-Charles Orioli, 3. Carl Hayman, 4. Konstantine Mikautadze, 5. Dean Schofield, 6. Pierrick Gunther, 7. Joe El Abd, 8. SEVA Rokobaro,
16. Mickael Ivaldi, 17. Xavier Chiocci, 18. Levan Chilachava, 19. Alafoti Faosiliva, 20. Baptiste Bonnet, 21. Jonny Wilkinson, 22. Alexis Palisson, 23. Christophe Samson,

The Northern Echo

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The Jaguar Academy of Sport is delighted to announce that English rugby legend, Jonny Wilkinson, has joined the world-class list of sporting heroes as an Ambassador of the Jaguar Academy of Sport.

Jonny Wilkinson has been an integral member of the English rugby team for over a decade and is acknowledged as one of the world’s greatest rugby players. The current England and Toulon player will be forever remembered as the star who kicked England to Rugby World Cup glory in Australia in 2003, scoring the winning drop goal against Australia in the last minute of extra time.

With 86 England caps, Jonny has a wealth of experience on the pitch, which is demonstrated through his list of almost endless accolades. Following his triumphant drop goal in 2003, Jonny was named the 2003 IRB International Player of the Year. In 2004, he was awarded an OBE for his magnificent contribution to the England team’s achievement during the Rugby World Cup.

Jonny’s dedication and drive to the sport is renowned, demonstrating the kind of performance that the Jaguar Academy of Sport hopes will inspire the next generation of British sportsmen and women. In particular, his skills and techniques which have made him a world-class rugby player, will be fundamental to the Mentoring and Education Programme, providing the Rising Stars with the support and knowledge that will help them to progress in their sporting career.

Jaguar Academy of Sport

Video of Jonny speaking about the Jaguar Academy of Sport

Click here to watch video

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I don’t know about you but I always find it humbling when someone in the public eye finds the courage to speak out about their struggle with depression. At some point we’ve all had to make that choice, to speak out and so we can appreciate how frightening it is. Jonny has achieved such a high level in his rugby career in spite of and despite, his depression which I find inspirational.

We were very lucky to have the opportunity to probe a little further and ask Jonny some questions. As massive rugby fans, we couldn’t resist throwing in a couple of rugby questions too. Here goes….

Did you find it difficult to write about your depression in your new book?

I certainly didn’t find it easy. It wasn’t a comfortable experience for me opening up about something that has at different times made me feel weak, silly, lost and very low. It is clearly a very personal issue but learning about it and understanding where it came from and how it came about has allowed me to view it as a disease and not part of me.

What kept you going even on your worst days?

It’s difficult to be precise here but for me it was little things like knowing that I was not alone and that many others suffer with something similar helped. Something very important to me is knowing that there is an end in sight and surrounding myself with people who I believe can help me to get there.

What has helped you the most with your depression?

Probably a combination of the above. Isolating it as a disease was a great start, learning about the disease, discovering how widespread the disease is amongst others helped me find a touch of stability too. My loved ones were always there for me and the professional help I received was amazing. I would definitely advise others who are seeking help to take time to find someone that they have a connection with before diving in.

What advice can you give others that are just starting out in sport?

Make every second count. By that I don’t just mean working and practising every waking hour but actually enjoying and embracing every opportunity. Listen to those more experienced than yourself, respect your peers, your opposition and above all the sport that you are involved in. Finally, believe in yourself and don’t forget to pat yourself on the back once in a while when you do things well.

Can you give any tips when it comes to eating well and nutrition?

I can only speak for myself and the principles I follow. Eat a good breakfast. I try to get a good amount of protein into very meal and avoid saturated fats as much as I can. Take a packed lunch with you if you don’t have time to eat much during the day. Sometimes a good lunch can be extras from dinner the night before. At dinner time get plenty of protein and vegetables but don’t go overboard on potatoes and rice or pasta. Treat yourself once a week maybe and avoid eating a lot of the obvious danger foods like butter, cheese, chocolate, biscuits, cakes and other stuff. Eat fresh fruit and vegetables, organic if possible. If you are training hard then make sure you are getting enough food beforehand (2 hours before) and protein and energy back in very soon afterwards.

When did you first realise you had depression?

I think it was when I started giving up and stopped caring and when I had no answers and couldn’t function. It was our club doctor Graeme Wilkes who first introduced me to the concept of depression which before then I believed was reserved for “other people”.

Have you achieved everything you have set out to in rugby?

I’m always searching for the best of me and will keep doing so until the day I hang up my boots.

What is your favourite ground to play at and why?

I love our home ground here in Toulon. The Stade Mayol is right on the port, right by the sea, is invariably packed to the rafters and is frequented by some of the most passionate fans in the world. Playing in the sunshine helps too!

What do you do to relax/chill out?

I play my guitar, my piano, read, watch dvds, hang out with my family, girlfriend and friends and play other sports. I love being quiet and walking by the sea too.

Thanks to Jonny for granting us the time to ask him a few bits and bobs. If you haven’t bought it already, his autobiography is out now and is a must read.

Blurtitout.com

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Jonny Wilkinson on England’s rugby disgrace and his twin passions of sport and fashion.

In his new autobiography, Jonny Wilkinson recalls a tabloid headline in a French newspaper, the night before England’s game against France in the 2007 World Cup: “Ayez peur! Ayez très peur!” I think I know how afraid the French squad would have been.

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