We can all agree that on of the biggest rugby icons of our time is hands down Jonny Wilkinson. When on top of his game, his deadly left or right foot will punish sides form all angles of the pitch. His tackling and defensive vision is phenomenal and his ability to work a deadly attack strikes envy through the veins of any opposing attacking coach.
Cast your mind back to the 2003 world cup, Wilkinson rarely made an error, his precision kicking dominated throughout the tournament and who can forget his winning drop goal that won the world cup for England with 20 seconds left.
Some took the view that in these following years since 2003, Wilkinson had past it, he peaked and all we would have ever heard or seen of him was on the injury list at Newcastle, and I’ll be honest I fell into that category.
I took the view that “when your at the top of your game, the only way you can go is down.” Wilkinson fell down, tumbled and crashed to almost rock bottom. Jonny seemed to be constantly injured, he would return from an injury and near enough on his come back game another long term injury would welcome him back to the physio room.
But then Toulon and Racing Metro started to take an interest in the artistic fly half. After much speculation and decision making, the deal was made for Jonny to play in the French 14 league with Toulon.
I now hold the view “when your career is near rock bottom, the only way you can go, is up.”
Jonny is back, his deathly attacking edge, his precise kicking boot and his solid defence, he has even had to learn a new language. Playing in France has rejuvenated his career and this new start has allowed him to feel like the young fit 18 year old he used to be. But Jonny feels he is a far better player now than he ever has been.
The 30 year old is almost certain to be named in Martin Johnson’s Autumn international squad, due to his excellent form in France and injuries to Danny Cipriani and Toby Flood, and he believes that he can come back better:
People ask me: 'Will you ever be like you were in 2003?' The answer is: 'I am way better now',"
I am undoubtedly better. There is no way that the 2001 version would have been able to deal with the 2007 World Cup experience," explained Wilkinson.
"I don't know how I would have dealt with it. I wouldn't have had the intelligence or the experience.
"I was suited to 2001 or 2003 because I was surrounded by people like Mike Catt, (Kyran) Bracken or (Matt) Dawson, Lawrence Dallaglio, Will Greenwood, Martin Johnson, pillars all around me.
"I was doing things because I was getting a load of help from them. But that person in 2007, or here in France? Not a chance. I am way better now because I understand what is going on.
"Back then it was like a headache trying to work out 100 things at once. It is almost like you are dissecting and composing, all the time.
"That much mental strain with the pressure of playing at a high level when I was young, without all that help, wouldn't have combined.
"Now I am processing it without too much effort."
Thank the lord. What a fantastic return it would be, from the man who was almost written off by most.
Although, I have to be honest, I’m constantly afraid to open the paper or load up an internet page that read the words: “Wilkinson ruled out of Autumn Tests through injury.”
You can almost see it, but I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed for the ex Falcon to come back with a bang and show everyone what we have been missing over the last 6 years. I want to be shown how the French league and lifestyle along with his previous bad experiences has molded him into the better player he has become.
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