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Surrey-born Jonny Wilkinson is fly-half for Newcastle Falcons and England and is already rated by many as an outstanding player. His nickname in the England camp is Wilko, while the Newcastle players call him Wilks.
He was playing rugby union in an under-eights team at the age of four. By the age of 12, he was playing every day and wanted to make a career in the game. He represented England at under-16, under-18 and under-21 level and played for Farnham before joining Newcastle in 1997.
As a child, Jonny was a talented all-rounder, playing cricket, basketball and tennis, as well as rugby. He played cricket and tennis for Hampshire schools and could have had a professional career in either sport. These days, he also enjoys playing golf.
Jonny became England's youngest player for 71 years when he won his first senior cap against Ireland in 1998. He was 18 years and 314 days old and had not even played much Premiership rugby with Newcastle. He secured his place in the England team after being called up for the last ever Five Nations championship the following year.
Still only 21, Jonny is already not far off the international points tally of 396 set by former England player and Newcastle's current Director of Rugby, Rob Andrew. Jonny says that Andrew has been a big influence on his career.
During the 1999 World Cup, Jonny became the youngest player ever to score 100 Test points and he passed his second century shortly before his 21st birthday.
Jonny picked up some silverware with the Falcons as they beat Harlequins to win the Tetley's Bitter Cup in February 2001.
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