With Jonny Wilkinson set to retire after a stellar 17-year career, he's set to leave the sport as one of England's all-time greats. We take a look at his remarkable time in rugby union
Jonny Wilkinson turned professional for the Newcastle Falcons in 1998 after being spotted at Lord Wandsworth College in Surrey by Steve BatesPhotograph: David Rogers/Getty ImagesWilkinson made his international debut later that year, in the infamous Tour of Hell, including England's terrible 76-0 defeat at the hands of AustraliaPhotograph: David Rogers/Getty Images1999 The next year, Wilkinson made his World Cup debut against Italy. He scored 32 points during England's 67-7 routPhotograph: Gerry Perry/AFP/Getty Images2000 Wilkinson helps England win the Six Nations. Despite looking set to make the Grand Slam, a defeat at the hands of Scotland in the final match left England disappointed Photograph: David Rogers/Getty Images2001 Wilkinson makes his debut for the British and Irish LionsPhotograph: David Rogers/Getty ImagesIn November the same year, facing Australia in the Cook Cup at Twickenham, Wilkinson scored every one of England's 21 points to seal victoryPhotograph: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images2002 The last Test against South Africa saw England beat all of the big three rugby nations on consecutive weekends. Unfortunately, Wilkinson finished the match injured with a dislocated shoulderPhotograph: David Rogers/Getty Images2003 Jonny Wilkinson makes his debut as England captain in the Six Nations match against ItalyPhotograph: Richard Heathcote/Action ImagesThe iconic moment of his career comes in the dying minutes of the World Cup final of that year as he scores a last-minute drop goal against Australia to give England their first World Cup winPhotograph: Tom JenkinsA momentous occasion for English rugby sees Wilkinson become a household namePhotograph: Daniel Berehulak/Getty ImagesIn December of that year, the public vote him BBC Sports Personality of the YearPhotograph: David Rogers/Getty Images2005 A string of injuries blighted Wilkinson's career for two years. After injuring his medial knee ligament in a Newcastle Falcons match against Perpignan, he suffered a panic attack on the sidelinesPhotograph: Raymond Roig/AFP/Getty ImagesIn May of that year, he made his first international appearance since the 2003 World Cup at the British and Irish Lions match against ArgentinaPhotograph: David Rogers/Getty Images2006 During the Guiness Premiership match against Worcester Warriors, Wilkinson injures his medial knee ligament once againPhotograph: Michael Steele/Getty ImagesHe returned later that year to play Bristol. While he completed the match, it was later revealed that he lacerated a kidney during playPhotograph: Matthew Lewis/Getty Images2007 Wilkinson's England team mount a spirited defence of their World Cup title, scoring a breathtaking 40-yard drop goal in the last minutes of their semi-final match against France. Unfortunately England lost to South Africa 15-6 in the finalPhotograph: Patrick Aventurier/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images2008 The Six Nations match against Italy sees Wilkinson become the first English player to score 1000 Test pointsPhotograph: David Rogers/Getty Images2009 After spending his entire career so far at Newcastle Falcons, Wilkinson signed with French side ToulonPhotograph: Gerard Julien/AFP/Getty Images2011 Wilkinson retires from International rugby after the World Cup. He left as the record holder for World Cup points scored, with a total of 277 Photograph: David Rogers/Getty Images2013 Wilkinson's Toulon side win the Heineken Cup. A tense final saw Toulon beat Clermont 16-15Photograph: Stu Forster/Getty Images
