Recent career

Because of a succession of injuries affecting his knee ligaments, arm, shoulder and kidney, Jonny Wilkinson's international career was severely disrupted. He did not appear again for England until 1,169 days after the 2003 World-Cup triumph, for the opening game of the 2007 Six Nations Championship against Scotland on 3 February 2007. In his comeback international match, Wilkinson scored 27 points (a record in the Calcutta Cup) and was proclaimed Man of the Match. The following week against Italy, he became the highest point-scorer in the history of the Five/Six Nations Championship (he has since been overtaken by Ronan O'Gara of Ireland). On 6 October 2007, he also became the highest point-scorer in the history of the World Cup, kicking four penalties to overtake Scotland's Gavin Hastings in a quarter-final against Australia. In a 2008 Six-Nations match against Italy, he became the first English player (and second overall) to score 1000 Test points. He is also the world record drop goal scorer in international rugby with a total of 29. In March 2008, he became the highest international point-scorer, overtaking Neil Jenkins of Wales. In September 2008 he was injured again, ending his Premiership season. In May 2009 he agreed to join French club Toulon on a two-year contract, leaving Newcastle after 12 years. In July 2009 he was recalled into the England Elite Squad for the first time since the 2008 Six Nations and was confirmed in the squad for the 2009 Autumn internationals after a successful run of games with Toulon. Wilkinson was then selected to tour Australia with the elite squad but was not selected as first choice fly half, nevertheless Wilkinson landed the winning points in the second test between England and Australia.