Jonny Wilkinson

One of the most impressive players to have graced the Rugby Union, Jonny Wilkinson is a powerhouse on the pitch. A former fly-half, Jonny’s dominance as a player was unrivalled, and his legendary performance in the 2003 Rugby World Cup solidified his position in the sport’s history books. Since retirement, Jonny has continued his involvement with the sport industry, and diversified into entrepreneurial ventures, utilising the determination and drive he honed his sporting career to ensure business success. Hear first-hand the highs and lows of some of the most iconic games in rugby history, from the player that lived it, with an entertaining after dinner talk from Jonny Wilkinson.

Between 91 caps for England, and a further six for the British and Irish Lions, Jonny Wilkinson garnered a reputation as a formidable international player. Since his debut for the country in 1998 he evidenced exemplary qualities on the pitch, from team work to mental resilience. Perhaps best recognised for his illustrious contribution to the 2003 Rugby World Cup, Jonny scored the winning drop kick with seconds to spare, in turn securing England’s first ever World Cup win. A hero of the sport, Jonny went on to be named BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year 2003, and lead England to the 2006 World Cup finals again. Throughout his career, Jonny was victorious at four Six Nations tournaments and three Triple Crowns, a truly exceptional player.

Equally prominent for his club contributions, Jonny played for the Newcastle Falcons from 1997, where in 12 years he achieved impressive results, including the Powergen Cup in 2001 and 2004, before transferring to Toulon in 2009. Since retiring in 2014, Jonny has been inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame in 2016, for his unparalleled career. Having been awarded a CBE for Services to Rugby Union in 2015, Jonny has continued to maintain his status in the industry through punditry work for the likes of ITV Sport. Utilising the knowledge and first-hand experience of professional sports, in 2018 Jonny launched his business venture ‘Number 1 Living’, bringing the health benefits of kombucha into the mainstream. With such a public platform, a guest appearance from Jonny Wilkinson as your after-dinner speaker is guaranteed to get heads turning, whether your audience are rugby fans or not. Bringing the same energy and wit as he did to the pitch, Jonny is a captivating speaker for any occasion.

Champions Speakers' Director, Jack Hayes, recently sat down with Jonny and discussed motivation, dealing with loss and leadership. Read our exclusive interview with Jonny Wilkinson now.