Six Nations Countdown: The record-breaking boot of Jonny Wilkinson

With only 11 days to go before the commencement of the 2023 Six Nations Championship, our focus today falls on the great Jonny Wilkinson and the vast ability of his boot(s), which saw him attain the Championship drop goal record – a record which still stands today, thirteen years after his retirement from international rugby.

Wilkinson was renowned for harbouring a work ethic which bordered (or, some would say, crossed said border) on the obsessive, especially with regard to his kicking. Long after practice had concluded, while his teammates made their way home or sat enjoying a pint in the clubhouse, the flyhalf would send balls flying towards the post as the night set in.

Wilkinson debuted for England at the age of 18 and, many feel, became the greatest flyhalf of all time – the old Dan Carter vs Wilkinson debate still rages on to this day as the pair enjoy their rugby in a spectator capacity.

Wilkinson’s hard work rendered him so adept with the drop goal that he displayed enough confidence to take a shot off the wrong foot in a World Cup final, a move which saw England hoist the Webb Ellis trophy for the first time:

In his entire international career, Wilkinson slotted a total of 36 drop goals, 11 of which fell within the realm of the Six Nations: