Jonny Wilkinson, the man who led England to World Cup glory in 2003, has remained a national hero ever since.
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But while his sporting achievements are legendary, it’s his personal journey that has seen some surprising turns.
A French Romance On October 21, 2013, Wilkinson tied the knot with Shelley Jenkins, his girlfriend of eight years. The ceremony was a private affair in Bandol, on the French Riviera, not far from Toulon. Today, the couple has a son, believed to be named James.
From Struggles to Strength Wilkinson has been open about the mental health challenges he faced following his World Cup triumph, particularly during his time off the field due to injuries. However, meeting Shelley helped him regain his perspective and improve his outlook on life.
A New Beginning Jonny and Shelley’s relationship blossomed after Jonny’s split from Sky Sports presenter Diana Stewart in 2005. At the time, Diana was just starting her career with Sky, covering a variety of sports, including golf, tennis, boxing, football, and rugby, before becoming the host of ‘Golf Night’.
Rugby: The Strain on Relationships A friend of Wilkinson’s explained the toll rugby took on his personal life, saying: “It is the same with all his relationships; rugby got in the way then as it is doing now. He’s just so committed to the sport that there is no room for anything else.”
Diana’s Reflections Diana, who later married European Tour golfer Nick Dougherty in December 2010, reflected on their breakup: “We are not in a relationship at the moment, but we are still very close. Jonny and I speak every day, but the two of us have a lot of things going on in our lives.
“There was no one particular thing. A lot of factors played a part in the decision. Even so, we are still incredibly supportive of each other. It works well.”
Life After Jonny Diana moved on after her split from Wilkinson, dating Declan Donnelly of Ant & Dec before marrying Dougherty.
Dan Carter Picks His Dream 15 From Past Teammates and Rivals
Dan Carter, one of rugby’s all-time greats, left an indelible mark on the sport. Across 112 Test matches, Carter scored an astonishing 1,598 points for the All Blacks and added another 1,708 points for the Crusaders.
Though injuries ruled him out of the 2007 and 2011 Rugby World Cups, Carter finished his career in style, delivering a Man of the Match performance in the 2015 World Cup final, helping New Zealand lift the trophy.
Now, Carter has revealed his Dream Team of players he admires and respects, combining past teammates and opponents who inspired him throughout his career.
FRONT ROW
1. Tendai Mtawarira (South Africa)
Known as “The Beast,” Mtawarira earned 117 Test caps for South Africa. A powerhouse in the scrum, his physicality and leadership were vital to the Springboks’ success during his era.
2. Dane Coles (New Zealand)
Dynamic and skillful, Coles earned 84 caps for the All Blacks. Renowned for his ball-handling, mobility, and work ethic, he was a key figure in New Zealand’s dominant 2010s run.
3. Olo Brown (New Zealand)
Brown earned 52 caps and was celebrated for his scrummaging strength and imposing physical presence, forming the backbone of New Zealand’s front row in the 1990s.
SECOND ROW
4. Paul O’Connell (Ireland)
Ireland legend O’Connell captained his country to a Six Nations Grand Slam and earned 108 Test caps. His line-out dominance and relentless tackling made him a central figure in Ireland’s golden era.
5. Brodie Retallick (New Zealand)
One of the finest locks of his generation, Retallick has 132 caps for the All Blacks. His athleticism, line-out skill, and physical presence were pivotal to New Zealand’s 2015 World Cup triumph.
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