Jonny Wilkinson

Jonathan Peter "Jonny" Wilkinson, CBE (born 25 May 1979) is an English former rugby union player who represented England and the British and Irish Lions. He rose to prominence 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. Wilkinson was an integral member of the 2003 Rugby World Cup-winning England squad, scoring the winning drop goal in the last minute of extra time against Australia in the 2003 Rugby World Cup Final. He then came back from several injuries to lead England to the final of the 2007 World Cup. He played his club rugby union for Toulon following twelve seasons in the English Premiership with the Newcastle Falcons. Wilkinson has also toured twice with the British and Irish Lions, in 2001 to Australia and 2005 to New Zealand, scoring 47 Test points in the tour matches in which he has started (he also scored 20 points in the pre-tour test match against Argentina in Wales). On 3 April 2009 at Guildford Cathedral, Wilkinson was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Surrey for services to the sports industry. Wilkinson announced his retirement from the English national squad in early December 2011. He retired from all rugby after the end of the 2013–14 season.