Rugby legend Jonny Wilkinson gives update on son following in his footsteps

Thursday, 20 February 2025 at 10:26

byRugby Rucker

Despite his legendary status and the iconic drop goal that secured England's 2003 Rugby World Cup victory, Jonny Wilkinson is surprisingly reluctant to see his child follow in his footsteps. The former fly-half, known for his relentless perfectionism and commitment to the game, has been open about the mental toll his career took on him.

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Jonny and his wife, Shelley, welcomed their first child, a son, in 2018. However, Wilkinson has made it clear that he would not want his child to endure the same psychological struggles he faced throughout his rugby career.

In a candid interview with

Mail Online before his son's birth, Wilkinson reflected on the pressure he placed on himself and how it affected his mental well-being.

"I would hope to high heaven that if I had a boy, he would not get, or have, the same mindset I had," he admitted. "A lot of the pressure of my career I put on myself, the way I live life. And it was hell a lot of the time."

Wilkinson, who battled anxiety and obsessive perfectionism, described how his mental struggles continued long after his playing days. Despite retiring from professional rugby in 2014, he has spoken openly about the psychological scars left behind.

In his autobiography, Jonny: My Autobiography, he revealed how the weight of expectation and an unrelenting desire to be the best often left him feeling isolated and mentally exhausted. At the height of his career, Wilkinson’s internal battles were so intense that even moments of triumph, like the World Cup win, felt more like relief than joy.

He continued, "I’d see it as a waste if I saw my son going through it the same way."

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Although proud of his achievements, Wilkinson is eager for his child to forge a different path—one that allows for more balance and happiness. "I’d like to think, in a very honest, open, spiritual way, I’d be able to say, 'Do whatever you want.' But at the same time…" he trailed off, hinting at his hope that his son would avoid the mental burdens that came with elite-level sport.

Since retiring, Wilkinson has turned to mindfulness and spiritual practices to manage his mental health. He now advocates for a holistic approach to well-being, encouraging others to prioritize mental clarity and self-compassion over perfection.

While his place in rugby history is secure, Jonny Wilkinson’s greatest hope is that his son will find fulfillment—without the struggles that defined much of his own journey.

EDITORS PICKS:

, examines the composition of various national teams, shedding light on the number of foreign-born players and how they qualify for their respective squads.

UPDATED: Foreign-born players in the 2025 Six Nations

The following breakdown, based on data compiled by Americas Rugby News

This international blend underlines rugby’s global nature, with some nations leaning on overseas-born talent more than others. Ahead of round two, we've broken down the squads – and Scotland lead the way by a mile when it comes to foreign-born players.

ENGLAND

HOMEGROWN PLAYERS: 39/41 (95.2%)
FOREIGN-BORN PLAYERS: 3/41 (7.3%)

Bevan Rodd (Scotland) - Parent
Chandler Cunningham-South (England) - Born in England
Harry Randall (England) - Born in England
Marcus Smith (Philippines) - Parent
Tom Roebuck (Scotland) - Parent

FRANCE

HOMEGROWN PLAYERS: 39/42 (92.8%)
FOREIGN-BORN PLAYERS: 6/42 (14.2%)

Dany Priso (Cameroon) - Residency (2008)
Uini Atonio (New Zealand) - Residency (2014)
Giorgi Beria (Georgia) - Residency (2002)
Joshua Brennan (Ireland) - Residency (2005)
Emmanuel Meafou (New Zealand) - Residency (2023)
Émilien Gailleton (England) - Parent

IRELAND

HOMEGROWN PLAYERS: 30/36 (83.3%)
FOREIGN-BORN PLAYERS: 9/36 (25%)

Rob Herring (South Africa) - Grandparent
Finlay Bealham (Australia) - Grandparent
Cormac Izuchukwu (England) - Parent
Joe McCarthy (USA) - Parent
Jamison Ratu Gibson-Park (New Zealand) - Residency (2020)
Bundee Aki (New Zealand) - Residency (2017)
Ciarán Frawley (Australia) - Parent
Mack Hansen (Australia) - Parent
James Lowe (New Zealand) - Residency (2020)

ITALY

HOMEGROWN PLAYERS: 21/31 (67.7%)
FOREIGN-BORN PLAYERS: 9/31 (29.0%)

Dino Lamb-Cona (England) - Parent
Sebastian Negri (Zimbabwe) - Parent
Ross Vintcent (South Africa) - Grandparent
Martin Page-Relo (France) - Grandparent
Stephen Varney (Wales) - Parent
Juan Ignacio Brex (Argentina) - Grandparent
Montana Ioane (Australia) - Residency (2020)
Ange Capuozzo (France) - Parent
Matt Gallagher (England) - Parent

SCOTLAND

HOMEGROWN PLAYERS: 25/42 (58,1.3%)
FOREIGN-BORN PLAYERS: 18/43 (44.1%)

Pierre Schoeman (South Africa) - Residency (2021)
Ewan Ashman (Canada) - Parent
Dylan Richardson (South Africa) - Parent
Will Hurd (England) - Grandparent
Cameron Henderson (Hong Kong) - Parent
Ewan Johnson (England) - Parent
Marshall Sykes (England) - Grandparent
Josh Bayliss (England) - Grandparent
Jack Dempsey (Australia) - Grandparent
Alexander Masibaka (Australia) - Parent
Ben White (England) - Grandparent
Fergus Burke (New Zealand) - Grandparent
Tom Jordan (New Zealand) - Residency (2024)
Rory Hutchinson (England) - Grandparent
Sione Tuipulotu (Australia) - Grandparent
Arron Reed (England) - Parent
Kyle Rowe (England) - Cumulative Residency
Duhan van der Merwe (South Africa) - Residency (2020)

WALES

HOMEGROWN PLAYERS: 26/34 (76.4%)
FOREIGN-BORN PLAYERS: 10/34 (29.4%)

WillGriff John (England) - Parent
Henry Thomas (England) - Parent
Will Rowlands (England) - Parent
Freddie Thomas (England) - Grandparent
Christ Tshiunza (DR Congo) - Residency (2015)
James Botham (Wales) - Born in Wales
Taulupe Faletau (Tonga) - Residency (2001)
Ellis Bevan (England) - Parent
Nick Tompkins (England) - Grandparent
Blair Murray (New Zealand) - Parent
Ellis Mee (England) - Parent

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