Jonny Wilkinson retired in 2014 as one of rugby’s all-time greats. His illustrious career includes one Premiership title and two Powergen Cups with Newcastle Falcons, two Heineken Cups with Toulon, and four Six Nations titles and a World Cup with England.
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Wilkinson had also set numerous world records when he retired, some which have since been broken.
He debuted for England at 18, replacing Mike Catt in a Five Nations match against Ireland in 1998. Over his career in the Five/Six Nations, Wilkinson became the top scorer in conversions (89) and drop goals (11). He is second only to Ronan O’Gara in total points (546 to O’Gara’s 557) and penalties (105 to O’Gara’s 109).
Wilkinson set several records in individual Six Nations tournaments. He scored 89 points in the 2001 tournament, the highest in a single season, and holds the record for the most conversions in one season (24). In 2003, he tied the record for most drop goals in a tournament (five), and until 2013, his 18 penalties in 2000 were the most in one season.
In individual matches, Wilkinson’s 35 points against Italy in 2001 remain a record for most points in a Six Nations match. He also holds the record for most conversions (nine) and combined goals (13) in a match. He shares the record for most penalties in a match (seven) with six others.
At the Rugby World Cup, Wilkinson leads in career points (277), penalties (58), and drop goals (14). In the 2003 World Cup, he scored 113 points, including eight drop goals, setting the record for most drop goals in a tournament.
Despite frequent injuries, Wilkinson excelled in his long career. He was the first player to score in two World Cup finals.
Wilkinson’s international records include the most drop goals (36) and tying with Dan Carter for most penalties (255). He is second only to Carter in career points, with 1,246 points scored from 1998 to 2011.
Wilkinson’s 19 Guinness World Records titles when he retired
Source: (Guinness World Records):
Most penalties in a Rugby Union international career
Most drop goals in an international Rugby Union career
Most conversions in the Five/Six Nations Championships
Most drop goals scored in the Five/Six Nations Championships
Most points in a Five/Six Nations tournament (individual)
Most conversions in a Five/Six Nations tournament (individual)
Most drop goals scored in a Five/Six Nations tournament (individual)
Most points by an individual in a Five/Six Nations match
Most conversions in a Five/Six Nations match
Most goals kicked in a Five/Six Nations match
Most penalty goals kicked in a Five/Six Nations match
Most points in a Rugby Union World Cup career
Most penalty goals kicked in a Rugby Union World Cup career
Most drop goals scored in a Rugby Union World Cup career
Most drop goals scored in a Rugby Union World Cup tournament (individual)
Most Rugby Union World Cup finals an individual has scored points in
Most points in a Rugby Union British Lions & Irish Lions career
Most conversions in a Rugby Union British Lions & Irish Lions career
Most penalty goals kicked in a Rugby Union British Lions & Irish Lions match
JONNY WILKINSON PICKS DREAM TEAM
Picking his dream team, the number 10 has named back-rower Richard Hill as the best player he played with during his career.
FRONT-ROW
1. Jason Leonard (England): He was seen by Wilkinson as “someone who inspired and brought energy to the game” with impact.
2. Keith Wood (Ireland): “You need someone here in this position who can bring you the set piece control but at the same time I think they need to be aggressive, be someone that runs hard, someone that doesn’t stop, never gives up.”
3. Craig Dowd (New Zealand): “As with all tight heads what you want is someone who doesn’t take no for an answer, someone who is maybe a little quieter but someone you just don’t mess with”
SECOND-ROW
4. Bakkies Botha (South Africa): “Someone incredibly fierce but very very down to earth” and “at times he’s exactly what a team needs.”
5. Martin Johnson (England): “intelligent, another massive leader, gets himself around the park. My captain”
