In 2003, as widely anticipated, England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson was voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year, beating his national captain Martin Johnson into second place and athlete Paul Radcliffe into third. Accepting the trophy from the Princess Royal, herself a former winner, he said, “I am not the most comfortable when I am in these situations, but I do enjoy myself. I would like to thank my family and friends for sticking by me and helping me through. Without these people I wouldn’t stand a chance. They have helped me realise my dreams.”
Wilkinson will probably always be best remembered for kicking the winning drop goal, with less than half a minute of extra time remaining, in a 20-17 victory over hosts Australia in the final of the Rugby World Cup at Stadium Australia, Sydney on November 22, 2003. However, by that stage of his career, Wilkinson, 24, was acknowledged as one of the best rugby union players in the world, playing for what was regarded by many, at the time, as the best rugby union team in the world.
Aside from the Rugby World Cup, Wilkinson had won the Six Nations Championship three times with England, in 2000, 2001 and 2003, including the Grand Slam on the latter occasion. He was also named IRB Player of the Year (now World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year) for 2003. Domestically, Frimley-born Wilkinson won the Premiership with Newcastle Falcons in 1997/98 and the Anglo-Welsh Cup with the same club in 2001.
Wilkinson was created Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) 2002 New Years Honours, thereby becoming the youngest rugby union player to receive such an accolade. He played in all three Tests for the British and Irish Lions in Australia in 2001, scoring 36 points, and was once again instrumental in England victories over Australia, New Zealand and South Africa in the Autumn Internationals in 2002. At that stage, he had scored a total of 584 Test points, more than any other English player, at an average of over 15 points a game.