Jonny Wilkinson ruled himself out of Lions duty – here’s why
Rugby NewsWednesday, 07 May 2025 at 21:39
Warren Gatland revealed that Jonny Wilkinson was sounded out for a shock return to the British & Irish Lions in 2013—but the England legend turned him down.
Competition: Get a Chance to Watch the Lions in Australia
Club over country (again)
Despite his sparkling form with Toulon, Wilkinson declined the offer due to ongoing fitness concerns and his commitment to helping the French giants chase a historic Heineken Cup and Top 14 double.
Body just said no
Tour manager Andy Irvine confirmed the news live on BBC Radio 5 Live:
"The truth is Jonny wasn’t up for it. He ruled himself out. He told Warren that he feels his body isn’t in the right shape to complete a tour like this. I admire his honesty and integrity."
Still got it
Just days before the squad announcement, Wilkinson produced a Twickenham masterclass—kicking every point in Toulon’s semi-final win over Saracens in the Heineken Cup.
Timing kills the dream
The sticking point? Gatland made it clear that all players needed to be available for the opening clash against the Barbarians in Hong Kong on June 1st—the same day as the Top 14 final.
Wilko speaks out
Speaking to
The Times, Wilkinson admitted the decision hurt:
"It was a hugely proud moment for me to be called by Warren Gatland, to be told that they were thinking of me in this way.
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"I was phenomenally proud to be considered for the Lions, so it's very disappointing that I'm unavailable."
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EDITORS PICKS:
Who will make the 2025 British & Irish Lions squad? Latest odds
While the final tour squad remains months away, these latest odds from the bookmakers offer the strongest hints yet of who’s expected to don the famous red jersey.
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? BACK-THREE: Scottish Power, Irish Precision
Duhan van der Merwe (1/16) is about as nailed-on as it gets – the Scotland powerhouse leads the market by some distance. He’s joined by two key Irish threats: James Lowe (1/8) and Hugo Keenan (1/5), both firm favourites.
England’s Tommy Freeman (4/9) continues his upward trajectory, while Blair Kinghorn (8/11) brings utility value and flair. Don’t rule out Darcy Graham (2/1) – the pocket rocket could be a dark horse.
? CENTRES: Aki and Jones in Pole Position
No surprises here. Bundee Aki (1/5) has been sensational and looks a shoo-in, while Huw Jones (1/4) is Scotland's best bet in midfield.
Scotland’s dynamic duo of Sione Tuipulotu (2/7) and Huw Jones (1/4) are also on track for selection, while Ireland’s Robbie Henshaw (8/11) must prove his fitness to stay in contention.
? FLY-HALVES: Finn’s to Lose?
Finn Russell (1/10) has the number 10 jersey in his grasp – and the bookies agree. England’s Fin Smith (8/15) is rising fast, while Marcus Smith (8/11) just edges Ireland’s Sam Prendergast, who drops out of the market in this latest update.
? NINES: Neck-and-Neck
It’s tight at scrum-half. Ireland’s Jamison Gibson-Park (8/11) leads the charge, but Alex Mitchell (11/10) and Tomos Williams (11/10) are breathing down his neck. With form fluctuating, this one’s still wide open.
? PROPS: Irish Domination
There’s no ignoring Tadhg Furlong (1/8) and Andrew Porter (1/7) – both virtually guaranteed. Zander Fagerson (4/11)is Scotland’s main man, while England’s Ellis Genge (4/6) and Fin Baxter (5/6) are right in the mix.
Pierre Schoeman (5/4) is hanging on, but might need a big end to the season.
? HOOKERS: Sheehan Out in Front
Dan Sheehan (1/10) is the clear frontrunner, but Dewi Lake (8/15) is hot on his heels. England’s Luke Cowan-Dickie (6/5) is back in the mix, but will need to stay fit to seal his spot.
? LOCKS: Itoje the Banker
Maro Itoje (1/33) is the biggest lock on the list (pun fully intended). He’s joined by Tadhg Beirne (1/10) and rising Irish star Joe McCarthy (4/6).
England’s Ollie Chessum (8/11) is in the hunt, and George Martin (11/10) isn’t far behind either.
? BACK-ROW: Doris and Earl Lead the Charge
Ireland’s Caelan Doris (1/5) and England’s Ben Earl (1/5) are leading the way. Former World Player of the Year Josh van der Flier (1/3) is another certainty.
England’s Tom Curry (8/15) is close to sealing a spot, while Jack Morgan (4/6) and Jack Willis (6/4) remain outside contenders.
? PROPOSED 2025 BRITISH & IRISH LIONS SQUAD (36)
Back-Three (6):
Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland) - 1/16
James Lowe (Ireland) - 1/8
Hugo Keenan (Ireland) - 1/5
Tommy Freeman (England) - 4/9
Blair Kinghorn (Scotland) - 8/11
Darcy Graham (Scotland) - 2/1
Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland) - 1/16
James Lowe (Ireland) - 1/8
Hugo Keenan (Ireland) - 1/5
Tommy Freeman (England) - 4/9
Blair Kinghorn (Scotland) - 8/11
Darcy Graham (Scotland) - 2/1
Centres (4):
Bundee Aki (Ireland) - 1/5
Huw Jones (Scotland) - 1/4
Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland) - 2/7
Robbie Henshaw (Ireland) - 8/11
Bundee Aki (Ireland) - 1/5
Huw Jones (Scotland) - 1/4
Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland) - 2/7
Robbie Henshaw (Ireland) - 8/11
Fly-Halves (3):
Finn Russell (Scotland) - 1/10
Fin Smith (England) - 8/15
Marcus Smith (England) - 8/11
Finn Russell (Scotland) - 1/10
Fin Smith (England) - 8/15
Marcus Smith (England) - 8/11
Scrum-Halves (3):
Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland) - 8/11
Alex Mitchell (England) - 11/10
Tomos Williams (Wales) - 11/10
Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland) - 8/11
Alex Mitchell (England) - 11/10
Tomos Williams (Wales) - 11/10
Props (3):
Tadhg Furlong (Ireland) - 1/8
Andrew Porter (Ireland) - 1/7
Zander Fagerson (Scotland) - 4/11
Ellis Genge (England) - 4/6
Fin Baxter (England) - 5/6
Pierre Schoeman (Scotland) - 5/4
Tadhg Furlong (Ireland) - 1/8
Andrew Porter (Ireland) - 1/7
Zander Fagerson (Scotland) - 4/11
Ellis Genge (England) - 4/6
Fin Baxter (England) - 5/6
Pierre Schoeman (Scotland) - 5/4
Hookers (3):
Dan Sheehan (Ireland) - 1/10
Dewi Lake (Wales) - 8/15
Luke Cowan-Dickie (England) - 6/5
Dan Sheehan (Ireland) - 1/10
Dewi Lake (Wales) - 8/15
Luke Cowan-Dickie (England) - 6/5
Locks (5):
Maro Itoje (England) - 1/33
Tadhg Beirne (Ireland) - 1/10
Joe McCarthy (Ireland) - 4/6
Ollie Chessum (England) - 8/11
George Martin (England) - 11/10
Maro Itoje (England) - 1/33
Tadhg Beirne (Ireland) - 1/10
Joe McCarthy (Ireland) - 4/6
Ollie Chessum (England) - 8/11
George Martin (England) - 11/10
Back-Row (6):
Caelan Doris (Ireland) - 1/5
Ben Earl (England) - 1/5
Josh van der Flier (Ireland) - 1/3
Tom Curry (England) - 8/15
Jack Morgan (Wales) - 4/6
Jack Willis (England) - 6/4
Caelan Doris (Ireland) - 1/5
Ben Earl (England) - 1/5
Josh van der Flier (Ireland) - 1/3
Tom Curry (England) - 8/15
Jack Morgan (Wales) - 4/6
Jack Willis (England) - 6/4
TOUGH QUIZ: Can you name EVERY British & Irish Lions captain of the past 50 Years?
We've got a belter of a quiz in store, as we challenge you to name EVERY British & Irish Lions tour captain of the past 50 years. We start off our quiz back on the 1974 tour of South Africa, and bring it all the way up to the Lions' latest tour to the land of the Springboks in 2021.
To make this a little bit more difficult, some of the more recent tours included multiple captains, with both needed to be named if you want to ace this Lions Tour quiz. You have six minutes to get all of your answers down, and your time starts... Now!
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