England legend and Rugby World Cup winner Jonny Wilkinson was asked to name his five toughest opponents from his incredible rugby career.
Only Dan Carter has scored more in Test rugby, with Wilkinson having garnered 1,246 during his 97 caps for England and the Lions. His finest hour, of course, came in 2003, when he slotted the drop goal that won the World Cup.
The fact he landed it with his weaker right foot speaks volumes for his hours and hours of diligent practice. Bowed out on a high, earning two more trophies with Toulon.
Check out his selection of toughest opponents below:
Jonny Wilkinson: Toughest opponent
5. Jonah Lomu (New Zealand)
WILKINSON SAID: "One of the most recognisable characters in World Rugby and a man who sparked fear in the eyes of opposition defences. The guy is quite a remarkable rugby legend and deserves to be so. No list would be complete without him.”
DID YOU KNOW? Lomu scored seven tries during the 1995 World Cup and added a further eight in 1999
#4. Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland)
WILKINSON SAID: “The ability to change the game in a second, a heartbeat, with his movement, with his skill, his game reading but also his leadership.”
DID YOU KNOW? O’Driscoll is the all-time Irish try scorer and has led his country more times than any other player
#3. Tim Horan (Australia)
Wilkinson said: "A guy that knew how to win, knew how to play the game. His body language suggested he didn’t really know how to fail or what mistakes were, what under performance was.”
#2. Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
WILKINSON SAID: "A guy that stood the test of time and has remained at the best, the highest level of the game for that time. Finishing second best was never an option."
DID YOU KNOW? McCaw led his country to World Cup glory in 2011 and 2015
#1. Christophe Dominici (France)
WILKINSON SAID: "His opportunism, his flair, his game reading, his sheer explosivity to really change a game is something that sticks in my memory.”
DID YOU KNOW? Dominci appeared in three World Cups for his country in 1999, 2003 and 2007, scoring eight tries over that time.
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