Jonny Wilkinson bows out of International Rugby Union games
Jonny Wilkinson, English rugby union fly-half, broke the news of his retirement from international rugby on his personal web page on December 13.The player is counted alongside the greats of rugby union and his departure has come as a big loss tot he game.
The statement was released on his official website and said, “I would like to take this opportunity to announce my retirement from international rugby.
To do so fills me with great sadness, but I know I have been blessed in so many ways to have experienced what I have with the England rugby team.”
It appeared through this statement that it was not easy for him to reach such a huge decision. However, his injury prone years convinced him to draw curtains on the international platform. His rugby union journey started in 1997 with Newcastle. During his
stay at the club, he was capped 158 times, which earned him 1,938 points. His spell at the club stretched until 2009.
After wrapping up his stay at Newcastle, the player joined in with Toulon the same year, where he has been capped 49 times. He has also 646 points to his credit. His club career is still expected to grow.
From 1998 until 2011, Wilkinson played for English National team, where he amassed 1,179 points through 91 games that he played at that level. He also played six times for the British and Irish Lions from 2001 to 2005 which contributed a total of 67 points
to his record.
Wilkinson played a very crucial role in his side’s World Cup Final 2003 win by booting a drop goal during the final minutes of the big game. The player will be remembered as one of the highest point-scorer for the English side.
The English fly half is well known for his extra training sessions and tough preparations in the world of rugby union and is expected to continue his club career with French side Toulon which he joined in 2009.
It will be interesting to see how the player will perform, in his thirties at the club level. His decision to say his goodbyes to the international level rugby will turn out to be useful for the club because now he will no longer be worried about his inclusion
at international platform. This load off will also improve his overall performance at the club level.
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