Little Jonny's huge hits were game changers
The Rugby Paper|June 14, 2020
Brendan Gallagher delves into some of rugby’s most enduring photographs, and explains the story behind the iconic image
Brendan Gallagher
Little Jonny's huge hits were game changers

What’s happening here?

It’s February 19, 2000, a raw afternoon in Paris, and a diminutive 20-year-old kid making only his second Championship start for England at fly-half has just felled France wing Emile N’tmack with a shuddering tackle that sent shock waves around the Stade de France and indeed the rugby world. The name was Wilkinson, Jonny Wilkinson.

The story behind the picture?

Anybody who followed and reported on the England Schools XV already knew that Wilkinson was a major rugby talent, a sublime dead ball kicker, a brilliant choreographer and kicker of dropped goals, and a neat and clever passer. A fierce but cool competitor, he possessed a nice half break, the only component missing from his game was searing pace but he was always going to be more of a creator than a finisher.

All this he had demonstrated during the England Schools Grand Slam season of 1997 and then their triumphant tour of Australia that summer when his talents were displayed at inside-center.

And all this was gradually becoming obvious in his senior career with Clive Woodward quickly promoting him to full England duties. His baptism came on the ‘Tour from Hell’ in 1998 and then he played center alongside Jeremy Guscott throughout the 1999 Five Nations.

Initially, he showed up well during the World Cup that autumn but ultimately Woodward preferred Paul Grayson as his starter at fly-half in the quarter-final against South Africa when England got well-beaten courtesy of five incredible dropped goals from Jannie de Beer.

Bu hikaye The Rugby Paper dergisinin June 14, 2020 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye The Rugby Paper dergisinin June 14, 2020 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

THE RUGBY PAPER DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
Morris hat-trick lifts Steelmen
The Rugby Paper

Morris hat-trick lifts Steelmen

HOOKER Ieuan Morris came off the bench to settle matters for Ebbw Vale at Carmarthen Quins with his stunning second half hat-trick completing a 39-11 victory in Super Rygbi Cymru.

time-read
3 dak  |
October 27, 2024
Joe keen to follow in family footsteps
The Rugby Paper

Joe keen to follow in family footsteps

JOE Ford is leading the charge to take Doncaster Knights to the promised land but says they have a long way to go before that becomes reality.

time-read
3 dak  |
October 27, 2024
Robson keen to make it to the top with Coventry
The Rugby Paper

Robson keen to make it to the top with Coventry

COVENTRY ended the first five-match block of fixtures as the Championship’s only unbeaten side and full-back Charlie Robson has his sights set on promotion, and eventually playing for England.

time-read
1 min  |
October 27, 2024
Hancox joins the 200 club
The Rugby Paper

Hancox joins the 200 club

AFTER 10 years of donning the red, black and yellow shirt for Bournemouth, skipper Grant Hancox made his 200th appearance this month after their Regional 2 South Central clash against Winchester.

time-read
1 min  |
October 27, 2024
Bear keen to be a big hit Down Under
The Rugby Paper

Bear keen to be a big hit Down Under

FORMER Cornish Pirates back row Bear Williams has flourished in making the difficult transition from rugby union to league and has plans to play in Australia’s NRL. `

time-read
2 dak  |
October 27, 2024
To play in two World Cups was a dream
The Rugby Paper

To play in two World Cups was a dream

RUGBY started quite late for me.

time-read
6 dak  |
October 27, 2024
Call time on this pantomime ploy
The Rugby Paper

Call time on this pantomime ploy

THIS 60-second shot clock twaddle. If we must continue to plough down this blind alley it needs to apply from the moment the referee awards the penalty. If the authorities are going to put some stick about at least do it properly and with conviction.

time-read
4 dak  |
October 27, 2024
Coetzee's pulling his weight again
The Rugby Paper

Coetzee's pulling his weight again

WHETHER he starts or comes off the bench, Jaco Coetzee is just happy to be contributing fully to Bath’s revival after an injury-hit start to his career in blue, black and white.

time-read
2 dak  |
October 27, 2024
Murray's on a wing - and a prayer ...
The Rugby Paper

Murray's on a wing - and a prayer ...

BLAIR Murray began the week ‘in a state of shock’ at having gone from nowhere on one side of the world to the starting grid for the autumn Tests on the other.

time-read
3 dak  |
October 27, 2024
We need to kick on after winning at last
The Rugby Paper

We need to kick on after winning at last

Paul Rees talks to Ethan Grayson who heard from two rugby legends after he helped Newcastle end their 25-match losing run

time-read
5 dak  |
October 27, 2024