Matt Dawson's brutal take on England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson
07/02/2024 08:52 AM
“England legend Jonny Wilkinson just wasn’t a natural playmaker,” says his former halfback partner Matt Dawson.
Join the RUCK's WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.
In a column in 2010, Dawson wrote, “What is missing in his repertoire is an ability to read the game, understand where England are playing and where they should be playing.”
Dawson also noted that Wilkinson’s reliance on other players for inspiration was a weakness.
“Wilkinson can play in the way that has been planned on a flip chart in team meetings, but if it comes down to him to work out on the hoof what options to take, more often than not he will kick – and miss opportunities to attack.” Dawson further added,
“That is not news, it's the way it has always been. Jonny needs players around him – guys like Mike Catt, Will Greenwood, myself or Kyran Bracken – to take decisions, then he will execute them brilliantly.”
– Photo mandatory by-line: Tom Dulat/Pinnacle – Tel: +44(0)1363 881025 – Mobile:0797 1270 681 – VAT Reg No: 768 6958 48 – 04/08/2007 – INVESTEC CHALLENGE; ENGLAND V WALES " data-medium-file="https://www.ruck.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2992232-220x300.jpg" data-large-file="https://www.ruck.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2992232-752x1024.jpg" src="https://www.ruck.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2992232-752x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-180636" srcset="https://www.ruck.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2992232-752x1024.jpg 752w, https://www.ruck.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2992232-220x300.jpg 220w, https://www.ruck.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2992232-768x1045.jpg 768w, https://www.ruck.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2992232-1128x1536.jpg 1128w, https://www.ruck.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2992232-1504x2048.jpg 1504w, https://www.ruck.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2992232.jpg 1528w" sizes="(max-width: 752px) 100vw, 752px" />
In response to Dawson’s comments, England legend Martin Johnson, who was the captain in 2003, fired back and said, “I didn’t make any decisions either; it was all Matt Dawson.”
Meanwhile, Austin Healey, a former player who was never a fixture in the team or in any one position, defended Wilkinson and said, “Get off Jonny Wilkinson’s case – and that includes you Matt Dawson.”
Louis Rees-Zammit's dating history includes Premier League legends daughter and famous YouTuber
Six months have passed since Louis Rees-Zammit swapped the rugby pitch for the gridiron, chasing his NFL dream with the Kansas City Chiefs. The journey has been nothing short of exhilarating for the Welsh sensation.
After an intensive 10-week training program, Rees-Zammit signed with the Chiefs and is now eyeing a spot on the final 53-man roster. His rise in the sporting world has been meteoric, capturing the attention of fans and media alike.
But it’s not just his professional life making headlines. Rees-Zammit’s personal life has also been a hot topic, featuring relationships with high-profile personalities, from a Premier League legend’s daughter to a famous YouTuber and a notable model/DJ.
Alicia Scholes
In December 2019, before his international debut for Wales, Rees-Zammit posted a photo of himself playing for Gloucester. Alicia Scholes, daughter of football legend Paul Scholes, humorously suggested an England debut was imminent, despite Rees-Zammit's Welsh roots. He firmly replied, “Wales*”.
In a BBC interview, Rees-Zammit spoke about his past relationship with Alicia, a professional netball player for London Pulse. He revealed the light-hearted attempts by her father to sway him towards England, which he steadfastly resisted.
Alicia and her father Paul found themselves in the spotlight in 2021 due to a viral video that led to playful banter among rival supporters.
CONTINUES ON PAGE TWO
The post Matt Dawson's brutal take on England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson appeared first on Ruck.
