Jonny Wilkinson reveals why he didn't sing national anthem for England
Rugby NewsWednesday, 08 October 2025 at 10:19
Jonny Wilkinson reveals why he didn't sing national anthem, and it's the reason most of us knowing Jonny would expect.
Most of the England players sang the national anthem lustily during the 2003 Rugby World Cup final, but not Jonny.
With his eyes almost closed, he looked so deeply entrenched in his cocoon of concentration that he probably didn't even hear the anthem in order to 'stay calm'.
There are two dangers in such single-minded pursuit of perfection. One is that putting your body on the line in such a physical sport might inflict lasting damage; the other is that once all the goals have been attained the perfectionist might decide there is more to life.
Another famous player who didn't used to sing the national anthem is Rory Best.
It’s understandable why the former Ireland captain didn’t sing "Amhrán na bhFiann" before home games, but the 36-year-old’s silence during “Ireland’s Call” – the anthem designed to unite the whole island of Ireland for rugby – raised more than a few eyebrows, especially since he was skirt.
Best Explains Himself in a Candid Interview
Now, Best has opened up about his reasons for not joining in, sharing the story in an insightful interview with former teammate Darren Cave on .
His explanation is as straightforward as it gets:
"Look, the thing is, it’s so ironic that you get abused for it, and nobody’s ever stopped and asked you, ‘why don’t you sing it?’" Best explained.
Throwing the Ball and the Anthem Dilemma
The roots of his decision go back to his Ireland Schools’ days, where a memorable moment left Best thinking twice about his pre-match rituals.
“It goes back to my Ireland Schools’ days. You think it’s going to be the greatest honour you’re ever going to achieve. You’re playing for Ireland. Being from rugby families like we were, you’re going ‘this is incredible!’” he recalled.
"You get so emotionally charged for it. And Ireland’s Call comes on that you’ve heard so many times in the old Lansdowne Road or watching on TV, and you’re belting it out.”
But then came the game that changed everything.
“I remember we played France or England. Kicked off. I’m flying up going ‘the first guy is getting it!’ They catch it, kick it out, and I’m turning around, running back to get a ball, still thinking ‘somebody’s gonna get it.’ I fired this throw in and it went… like I tell the story that it went three times the height of the person I was thro
Jonny Wilkinson names the five best fly-halves of all-time
he iconic fly-half played a pivotal role in England's 2003 Rugby World Cup triumph, securing his status as one of the sport's greatest. Post-retirement, Wilkinson has embraced coaching and philanthropy.
Wilkinson, born on May 25, 1979, is a retired English rugby legend renowned for his precision and dedication.
“This is the key position for any World Cup winning team," revealed Wilkinson
"You need guys that are going to lead and continue to do so right to the final seconds when it gets very, very tough.
"I can’t just pick one.”
The group boasts four Rugby World Cup winners, and between them the five have amassed 553 points.
Each individual played their part in their countries’ successes and all possessed the qualities to take the pivotal spot in the team.
1. Michael Lynagh (Australia)
For a decade from his debut in 1984 to his international retirement in 1995, former Wallaby Skipper Lynagh was one of the most distinguishable players in World Rugby.
After 72 internationals, he had set a new point-scoring record of 911, which is still an Australia record. He was an important member of the side that won the 1991 World Cup in England, but retired from International Rugby after Australia’s loss to England in the quarter-final of the 1995 Rugby World Cup.
Did you know: His son, Louis Lynagh, currently plays for Harlequins academy and has represented England U18
2. Dan Carter (New Zealand)
The double World Cup-winner has established himself as one of the greatest players in history, being near faultless in every department: he can attack, break the line and kick accurately tactically or at goal.
He was named the World Player of the Year in 2005, 2012 and 2015 and has won three Super Rugby titles with the Crusaders, and nine Tri-Nations and Rugby Championships with the All Blacks.
Did you know: In 2008, American Cable Channel E! judged Carter to be 11th on its list of the world’s sexiest men.
3. Joel Stransky (South Africa)
Fly-half Stransky cemented his place in the hearts and minds of the nation by kicking the drop goal that saw South Africa claim the sport's biggest prize in 1995.
He also wrote his name in the history books in the opening match of the tournament when he became the first Springbok to score a try, a conversion, a penalty and a drop goal in the same game - a 27-18 win over defending champions, Australia.
4. Stephen Larkham (Australia)
While we in England will never tire of Wilkinson’s drop goal in the 2003 World Cup Final, Aussie nostalgia freaks prefer Larkham’s 48-metre effort against South Africa in the 1999 semi-final.
A converted full back whose kicking was supposedly so errant that a triumphant TV ad poked self-mocking fun at it, Larkham celebrated his World Cup success by having laser treatment to correct his dodgy vision.
Did you know: Larkham was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 2012
5. Grant Fox (New Zealand)
Despite not being a great player with the ball in hand the former All Black Grant Fox was one of the games greatest ever kickers in history.
It only took Fox six games to amass 100 Test match points, and two years later he won the inaugural World Cup on home soil in 1987. During the tournament, he scored 126 points from six matches finishing the tournament as the top points scorer.
Did you know: In December 2011 he was named as an All Blacks selector in Steve Hansen’s new coaching set-up.
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- Jordie Barrett over Damian de Allende is far from being correct. The hype around Dupont is also overreaching, he's probably 4th in the world and has been since the 2023 WC. He also avoids certain matchups which is strange. The rest of the list is pretty good apart from minor subjective biases.JasonMarlow16-09-2026
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