Former Newcastle Falcons and England rugby star Jonny Wilkinson put his then £1.5m Northumberland property on the market in 2014.
Join the RUCK’s WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.
The property, which is now worth well over £2m, sold for just over £900k.
He said: “When I went through my injury period between 2004 and 2007, I just couldn’t stay fit and I was struggling.
“It was then I decided to extend the property to include space for a gym and a swimming pool.
“It kind of saved my career. My whole life was about doing rehab and gym work to try and stay fit and get back into my job. It became a bit of a a retreat almost.
“I could do what I had to do, but still have all the peace and quiet that comes with the house.”
He added: “The views go on forever. It’s that kind of thing that I’m going to miss. It’s that beautiful and that much of a privilege to live here.
“But at the same time, it’s one of the these things when suddenly your life takes shape in front of you and you have to move on. “The house is very special to me as it’s where I spent the mainstay of my rugby career.
The house dates from the late 1800s and has been updated throughout.
EDITORS PICKS:
- Four England Players Make Official 2025 Six Nations Team Of The Tournament
- Statement: George McGuigan has left Gloucester by mutual consent
- “Change likely” – Steve Borthwick’s England exit date as head boss confirmed
- Five players who flopped during the 2025 Six Nations
15 England Stars Make Our Lions Squad for Australia Tour
With the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour just around the corner, speculation is ramping up about who will get the nod for the three-Test series against Australia.
Andy Farrell will announce his squad live from the O2 Arena in London on May 8th, 2025, and we’ve taken a stab at selecting the best possible 36-man squad for the tour.
OUR 2025 BRITISH & IRISH LIONS SQUAD
Here’s a breakdown of who makes the cut, with 15 England stars included in our strongest lineup.
Props
Andrew Porter (Ireland)
Ellis Genge (England) – The 'Baby Rhino' brings his trademark aggression and scrummaging power.
Pierre Schoemann (Scotland)
Kyle Sinckler (England) – A veteran of the 2021 tour, Sinckler’s experience will be vital.
Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)
Will Stuart (England) – The powerful tighthead earns his spot after a consistent season.
Hookers
Dan Sheehan (Ireland) – The standout Irish hooker is almost a certainty.
Dewi Lake (Wales)
Jamie George (England) – Lions experience and leadership make him a vital inclusion.
Locks
Maro Itoje (England) – One of the first names on the team sheet.
Joe McCarthy (Ireland) – The young enforcer could be a game-changer.
Ollie Chessum (England) – A rising star, providing dynamism and lineout excellence.
Dafydd Jenkins (Wales)
Tadhg Beirne (Ireland)
George Martin (England) – Physicality and work rate give him the edge.
Back Row
Josh van der Flier (Ireland) – World-class breakdown presence.
Ben Curry (England) – Edges into contention with his relentless tackling and breakdown work.
Tom Curry (England) – A Lions veteran whose pedigree speaks for itself.
Caelan Doris (Ireland) – A guaranteed starter.
Ben Earl (England) – One of the most explosive players in the Premiership this season.
Jack Willis (England) – His form for Toulouse has been outstanding.
Scrum-halves
Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland)
Alex Mitchell (England) – Slick distribution and speed make him a real threat.
Ben White (Scotland)
Out-halves
Finn Russell (Scotland) – The magician with the golden touch.
Fin Smith (England) – England’s rising star earns his place.
Sam Prendergast (Ireland) – Future Irish fly-half maestro.
Centres
Bundee Aki (Ireland) – A wrecking ball in midfield.
Huw Jones (Scotland)
Owen Farrell (England) – His experience and leadership could prove invaluable.
Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland)
Back Three
Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland) – A try-scoring machine.
Tommy Freeman (England) – Versatility and pace make him an asset.
James Lowe (Ireland)
Darcy Graham (Scotland) – Electric feet and finishing ability.
Blair Kinghorn (Scotland) – Provides utility value and composure.
Hugo Keenan (Ireland) – Almost certain to be the starting fullback.
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (England) – The young speedster could light up the tour.
Why These England Stars Make the Cut
After reviewing the squad, 15 England players make the squad, not just eight as initially suggested. Here’s a closer look at those making the journey to Australia:
- Ellis Genge – Loosehead prop with aggression and power.
- Kyle Sinckler – Experienced tighthead who thrives on the big stage.
- Will Stuart – Strong scrummager who adds depth at tighthead.
- Jamie George – Experienced hooker with Lions pedigree.
- Maro Itoje – An automatic selection with his world-class performances.
- Ollie Chessum – Dynamic and athletic, perfect for the Lions.
- George Martin – Physical and uncompromising in defence.
- Ben Curry – Relentless tackler and breakdown specialist.
- Tom Curry – Established Lions veteran with proven class.
- Ben Earl – Explosive ball carrier and Premiership standout.
- Alex Mitchell – Offers tempo and flair at scrum-half.
- Fin Smith – The young playmaker has shown composure beyond his years.
- Owen Farrell – His leadership and ability to control a game are unmatched.
- Tommy Freeman – A versatile back three option with pace and power.
- Immanuel Feyi-Waboso – The electric winger who has lit up the Premiership.
Quiz: Name these 10 retro British & Irish Lions rugby players
Rugby history runs deep, and the British & Irish Lions have produced some of the most iconic players to ever grace the pitch. But can you spot a Lions legend from a lineup?
Test your knowledge with this quiz! For each question, we’ll give you three possible answers—only one is correct.
Think you’ve got what it takes to ace this retro challenge? Let’s find out!
EDITORS PICKS:
TRENDING
LATEST NEWS
LATEST COMMENTS
Loading