2. Jonny Wilkinson (NECK/SHOULDER)
The England fly-half suffered a stress fracture to facet joint in his neck after series of heavy collisions during the 2003 Rugby World Cup. The injury was only discovered when Wilkinson underwent a CT scan upon his return to Newcastle Falcons.
A statement from the club said: “Following a CT scan Newcastle Falcons confirm that Jonny Wilkinson has a slight fracture of a facet and believe this may have happened several weeks ago.”
Bony scar tissue touching nerve sent shooting pains through right shoulder and arm over a long period of time.
He finally had surgery in 2004 after playing through the pain longer than he should have.