Jonny Wilkinson Family Tree: The Story Behind England's Rugby World Cup Hero

Jonathan "Jonny" Peter Wilkinson CBE, born 25 May 1979 in Frimley, Surrey, England, is an English former rugby union fly-half — England's 2003 Rugby World Cup winner (his 20-second drop goal in extra time beat Australia); Toulon Heineken Cup wins 2013, 14; 1179 points for England (all-time record); IRB Player of Year 2003.

The Family's Roots: An English Sporting Family

The Wilkinson family is from Frimley, Surrey.

His Parents

Father: Phil Wilkinson — English; club rugby player.

Mother: Philippa Wilkinson — English.

His Brother

Mark Wilkinson, born 1977 — Jonny's elder brother; also played rugby (Rotherham).

His Wife: Shelley Jenkins

Shelley Jenkins — English. Married Jonny on 2 April 2012.

Their Children

Sofia Wilkinson, born 2015 — daughter.

Freya Wilkinson, born 2017 — daughter.

The Wilkinson Family Tree at a Glance

Father: Phil Wilkinson.

Mother: Philippa Wilkinson.

Brother: Mark Wilkinson (b. 1977).

Wife: Shelley Jenkins (m. 2 April 2012).

Daughters: Sofia (b. 2015); Freya (b. 2017).

Jonny Wilkinson:

  • Born 25 May 1979, Frimley
  • Lord Wandsworth College
  • Newcastle Falcons 1997-2009; RC Toulon 2009-2014
  • England debut: 4 April 1998 (18)
  • 91 caps; 1179 points for England (all-time record)
  • 2003 Rugby World Cup Winner: 22 November 2003, Sydney — Australia 17-20 England (Jonny's drop goal in the 100th minute)
  • IRB Player of the Year: 2003
  • CBE: 2004
  • British & Irish Lions: 6 caps (2001, 05)
  • 2013 Heineken Cup + French Top 14 (Toulon)
  • Retired 2014

What the Wilkinson Family Story Teaches Us

An English rugby family. A brother who also played. A wife of 13 years. Two daughters. A career that scored the most-famous drop goal in English sports history — the moment that won the 2003 Rugby World Cup.

For every family — large or small, famous or otherwise — the Jonny story carries the same lesson. Some careers reduce a whole nation to 20 seconds of a drop goal.

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