Ryder Cup presenter reveals reason for her shock split from Jonny Wilkinson

Sunday, 28 September 2025 at 08:15

byRugby Rucker

England rugby legend Jonny Wilkinson led his team to World Cup victory in 2003 - but that triumph had a severe impact on his mental health.

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On October 21, 2013, Jonny married his girlfriend of eight years, Shelley Jenkins, in a private ceremony in Bandol, on the French Riviera, near Toulon. They now have one child, a son believed to be named James.

Jonny has been candid about the mental health struggles he faced after the World Cup, especially during his time off the pitch due to injuries. However, his outlook improved significantly after meeting Shelley.

The couple met in 2005, shortly after Wilkinson ended his relationship with prominent Sky Sports presenter Diana Stewart.

Diana joined Sky in February 2003 and covered a variety of sports, including golf, tennis, boxing, football, and rugby, before taking on her current role as the host of Sky's 'Golf Night'.

A friend noted that Wilkinson's intense dedication to rugby had strained his relationships. "It is the same with all his relationships; rugby got in the way then as it is doing now," the friend said.

"He's just so committed to the sport that there is no room for anything else."

Commenting on the split, Diana said: "We are not in a relationship at the moment, but we are still very close. Jonny and I speak every day, but the two of us have a lot of things going on in our lives.

"There was no one particular thing. A lot of factors played a part in the decision. Even so we are still incredibly supportive of each other. It works well."

Diana married European Tour golfer Nick Dougherty on New Year's Eve 2010. After his retirement from playing Dougherty moved into the media with a position at Sky Sports Golf as a presenter. Since 2019 Dougherty has been the Sky Sports golf lead presenter for all men's majors and the Ryder Cup.

Stewart kicked off her media career with Galaxy Radio, working on the ground crew before making the leap to Sky Sports. Starting out as a runner, she quickly worked her way up and became one of the familiar faces on Sky Sports News. When Sky launched its dedicated golf show in 2007, Stewart was handpicked as one of the lead presenters.

Her TV work hasn’t stopped there. She’s fronted Sky3’s More Big Ideas, catching up with winners and losers from Sky1’s The Big Idea. In 2009, she starred in a Titleist golf campaign alongside ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt, further cementing her golfing credentials.

Away from sport, she’s co-hosted Sky1’s Game Changers on Saturday mornings and even dipped into comedy, appearing in two episodes of Mrs. Brown’s Boys as the brilliantly named Mrs. Annette Curtain.

2027 Rugby World Cup Draw: England get tough pool

The 2027 Rugby World Cup is set to be a landmark tournament, expanding to 24 teams and hosted by Australia from October 1 to November 13, 2027.

The official pool draw is scheduled for December 2025, but based on current World Rugby rankings, here's a predicted breakdown of the pools and profiles of the teams involved.

Pool A

New Zealand – The Mighty All Blacks

The All Blacks are perennial powerhouses with three World Cup titles (1987, 2011, 2015). They reached the final in 2023 but were narrowly defeated by South Africa 12–11.

Argentina – Los Pumas on the Prowl

Los Pumas are known for their physical play and passionate fan base, consistently challenging top-tier teams.

Portugal – The Lusitanian Lancers

Emerging as a strong contender, Portugal has been improving steadily, surprising bigger nations with their grit.

USA – The Eagle Soars

The Eagles are steadily developing their rugby program, with increasing participation and performance levels.

Pool B

Ireland – The Emerald Warriors

Ireland boasts a rich rugby history and a strong domestic league, making them a formidable opponent in any pool.

Scotland – The Braveheart Tacklers

Scotland is known for tactical play and resilience, consistently challenging the sport's elite.

Uruguay – Los Teros Tenacious

Uruguay has grown significantly in international rugby, showcasing strong defense and spirited play.

Chile – The Rugby Condors

Chile is making strides, with a growing domestic scene and increasing international experience.

Pool C

South Africa – The Springbok Stalwarts

South Africa are masters of forward play and history-makers, winning the 2023 Rugby World Cup with a thrilling 12–11 victory over New Zealand.

Fiji – The Flying Fijians

Fiji’s flair and skill make them exciting to watch, blending tradition with dynamic attacking rugby.

Tonga – The Island Titans

Tonga brings relentless physicality and passion, often punching above their weight.

Romania – The Oak Strongmen

Romania has a long-standing rugby tradition, emphasizing forward dominance and set-piece strength.

Pool D

France – Les Bleus Unleashed

France is unpredictable and dynamic, capable of taking down any team with flair and creativity.

Italy – The Azzurri Avengers

Italy has steadily improved, developing young talent and focusing on competitive consistency.

Spain – The Iberian Bulls

Spain is emerging in European rugby, combining speed, skill, and growing experience on the international stage.

Hong Kong China – The Dragon Chargers

Hong Kong China qualified for the first time by winning the 2025 Asia Rugby Championship, defeating South Korea 70–22 in the final. This marks a significant milestone for rugby in Asia.

Pool E

England – The Red Rose Rampagers

England has a rich rugby heritage, with a strong domestic league and impressive international pedigree.

Georgia – The Scrum Kings

Known for their formidable scrum and forward play, Georgia is a rising force in European rugby.

Samoa – The Island Hurricanes

Samoa’s team combines skill, physicality, and a passionate rugby culture.

Canada – The Maple Warriors

Canada continues to develop their program, aiming to compete strongly on the world stage.

Pool F

Australia – The Wallabies on Home Turf

The host nation brings talent and experience, ready to dazzle crowds across seven cities.

Wales – The Dragon Fire

Wales is known for passionate supporters and a team that often exceeds expectations.

Japan – The Rising Sun Speedsters

Japan has become a force with speed, discipline, and memorable performances in previous World Cups.

Zimbabwe – The Sables’ Return

Zimbabwe qualified for 2027 by defeating Namibia 30–28 in the 2025 Rugby Africa Cup, marking their first World Cup appearance since 1991.

Tournament Format

The 24-team format features a pool stage followed by knockout rounds, including a Round of 16, Quarter-finals, Semi-finals, and Final.

Host Cities

Matches will take place across Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Newcastle, Perth, Sydney, and Townsville.

Ticketing

Over 2.5 million tickets will be available, with travel packages launching in 2026.

QUIZ: Can you name all 26 teams to have played at the Men’s Rugby World Cups?

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