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Born May 25, 1979 in Surrey, England, Jonny Wilkinson is an English Rugby Union player who made worldwide headlines in 2003 when he kicked the winning drop goal in the last minute of the Rugby World Cup against Australia.

Soon after Wilkinson was voted the BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

Wilkinson began his career with the England Rugby Union at age 18 and by the end of 2003 had scored 817 points in a total of 52 matches, enhancing his reputation for expert kicking and also as one of the most feared tacklers in the game.

He had been on his way to breaking the international record for most points scored and showed promise of reaching the 1,052 point record held by Neil Jenkins.

However, a string of injuries suffered to his neck, knee and bicep has plagued the rugby champion throughout 2004, 2005 and 2006, including kidney damage suffered in November that sidelined the rugby champ until the end of the year.

As he continues to struggle to keep in the game, Wilkinson expressed confidence that his best days were still ahead of him.

In 2007, the "Jonny Jinx" again arose as the injury-plagued half fly twisted his ankle during practice just days before the start of the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France. He was later declared fit and ready to play in time for the match against Somoa on September 22, and in his World Rugby Cup debut scored a total of 24 points in a 44-22 victory.

The rugby star came through yet again in a strong showing that helped clinch a dramatic victory over France in the rugby World Cup semi-final. However, England ultimately went down in defeat against South Africa 15-6. Despite the loss, Wilkinson was a Top Ten contender again for the 2008 BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

He was also poised to build on his recent success at the 2008 Six Nations championship when - in a loss 15-9 to Scotland by his England team - finally celebrated a personal triumphant in becoming rugby union's all-time leading scorer with 1093 points, surpassing the record previously held by Neil Jenkins.

Ironically, Wilkinson was suddenly dropped from the England team before the Six Nations final against Ireland, replaced by 20-year-old fly-half Danny Cipriani.

Times Online - Jonny Wilkinson Official Site - Photos slide show, excerpts from his autobiograpy, My World, his own online rugby kicking guide and the latest rugby news headlines.

Jonny Wilkinson - Complete biography, pictures, related links from Wikipedia.

Jonny Wilkinson Fan Club - Active messageboard with photos and screensavers submitted by members.

BBC Sport - Jonny Wilkinson's career in pictures - Photo slide show of the rugby star in action dating back to 1998, along with archived reports on the 2003 World Cup win.

Jonny Wilkinson - Photos - High quality shots submitted by a fan, with related links and rugby news.

Jonny Wilkinson Interactive Quiz - How well do you know the man and his career?

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