Exclusive: Jonny Wilkinson set for 2023 Rugby World Cup coaching role - Ruck

Exclusive: Jonny Wilkinson set for 2023 Rugby World Cup coaching role

Rugby legend Jonny Wilkinson is set to join a new-look England coaching team for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

The 43-year-old set new standards in terms of dedication during his career with an almost obsessive pursuit of perfection.

His finest hour, of course, came in 2003, when he slotted the drop goal that won the World Cup.

RUCK understands Wilkinson is now set to join Borthwick’s men during the summer on a short-term deal to work with likes of Owen Farrell and Marcus Smith as a specialist kicking coach.

The RFU faced competition from France, who were linked with a move for Wilkinson in August ahead of their home World Cup next September.

Wilkinson, who worked with England during their run to the 2019 showpiece final, is well respected across the channel with Toulon, and already has a firm grasp on the language.

He would have become the second Englishman on the Les Bleus coaching staff after highly-regarded defence maestro Shaun Edwards join on a long-term deal from Wales.

Jonny Wilkinson facts:

  1. Wilkinson’s brother, Mark, was also a Newcastle player who made 16 appearances in the Premiership for the side between 2002 and 2005, predominantly as a centre. His father, Phil, was a rugby player and cricketer, and his mother, Philippa, played squash at county level.  His grandfather, Phil, also played football for Norwich.
  2. When former England centre Jeremy Guscott walked into the dressing room on the day of Wilkinson’s international debut, he thought the 18-year-old had won a competition to spend the day with the national team.
  3. Wilkinson followed Buddhist principles and teachings to help control his perfectionist tendencies, according to an interview he gave with The Times newspaper in 2009.
  4. Jonny and Shelley became parents for the first time in late 2018. They keep their private life pretty much on lockdown, but according to reports, they had a little boy called James while they were still living in France.
  5. Wilkinson is currently a studio pundit for ITV Sport, working on their coverage of the Six Nations Championship, Rugby World Cup and other rugby events.

Jonny Wilkinson Has Been Voted The Greatest Ever Rugby Player In History

Jonny Wilkinson

England legend Jonny Wilkinson has been voted as the rugby’s greatest ever rugby player after a survey was conducted with more than 1000 fans participated. 

Forever remembered as the man whose last-gasp drop-goal won England the Rugby World Cup by edging past the hosts in Australia in 2003.

That moment is just one highlight of a record-breaking career that has seen Wilkinson rise to one of the sport’s all-time greats.

England won 67 of the 91 games Wilkinson played in with h1im scoring an outstanding total of 1,179 points. He also holds the Rugby World Cup points record with 277.

Within the top 20 players voted by the fans, New Zealand have the most representatives with five, including the likes of Dan Carter, Richie McCaw and Zinzan Brooke.

The only player to make the list from the amateur era is Wales best ever player, and arguably the best scrum-half of all-time, Gareth Edwards.

Here is the list of the top 20 greatest ever rugby players voted by fans:

Greatest Ever Rugby Player: Top 20

20. Sergio Parisse (Italy)

19. Johnny Sexton (Ireland)

18. Jason Leonard (England)

17. Zinzan Brooke (New Zealand)

16. Sonny Bill Williams (New Zealand)

15. Lawrence Dallaglio (England)

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