Stuart Lancaster pays tribute to Jonny Wilkinson - Rugby Union News
In a statement released on December 13 by Stuart Lancaster, who was England’s acting head coach after the 2003 World Cup, the coach acknowledged the extraordinary ability of the English star player, Jonny Wilkinson, who mastered his skills at the fly half
position on the rugby union field.
Lancaster paid tribute to the English player who announced he was hanging up his boots from international games and said, "Jonny has had a fantastic international career which has spanned four World Cups and 91 caps and ranks as one of England's greatest
ever players. He will of course be remembered for that drop-goal but he is more than that, a model sportsman - down to earth and hard working, who has never stopped trying to be the best that he can. Everyone who has played with, coached and watched Jonny
play should feel privileged to have had an involvement with him.”
Lancaster further added that the player’s recognition is beyond being world-class player because he has also inspired thousands to play and watch the game of rugby.
Wilkinson has said his goodbye to England but will continue playing at the club level with Toulon which is a French franchise. This is a sigh of relief for his fans, who will come down to France to treat themselves to his on-field brilliance. It seems that
Lancaster is also a Wilkinson fan because he shared that he would go to France to watch him play and learn as much as is possible from the player who supports an extravagant stint with the English side spanning over 13 years.
The 32-year-old is unanimously lauded by all for his unwavering ability to perform exceptionally well in the most unexpected moments. The most memorable moment on rugby union field will always be his drop goal kick during the final minutes of the World Cup
2003 Final. The player is also well known for his persistent hard work and straight forwardness, for which, not only coaches but his fellow players also love being around him.
It is believed that with Wilkinson’s departure from English side, there will be void left which cannot be filled easily because the player has pushed the bar to new level. According to Sir Clive Woodward, head coach of England, Wilkinson was a pleasure to
coach and he thinks that that he cannot be replaced easily.
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