Mark Wilkinson (rugby union) explained

Mark Wilkinson
Birth Name:Mark James Philip Wilkinson
Birth Date:21 November 1977
Birth Place:Wokingham, England
Height:6feet[1]
Weight:238lb
Position:Centre
Amatyears1:2001–2002
Amatyears2:2002
Amatteam1:Darlington Mowden Park
Amatapps1:10
Amatpoints1:15
Ru Amupdate:6 May 2013
Years1:2002–2006
Clubs1:Newcastle Falcons
Apps1:16
Points1:5
Clubupdate:6 May 2013

Mark James Philip Wilkinson (born 21 October 1977) is an English former professional rugby union player. He spent his three-year professional career at Newcastle Falcons, alongside his brother, Jonny Wilkinson, predominantly playing as a Centre.[1]

Career

Early career

Born in Wokingham, Wilkinson played for National League 3 North side Darlington Mowden Park during the 2001/02 season, making 20 appearances and scoring 3 tries.[2]

2002–2006

In August 2002, Wilkinson signed for Newcastle Falcons, where his brother, Jonny, was captain.[3] He made his professional debut against Leeds Carnegie, playing as centre, but unusually, for that position, wearing the 15 shirt. His performance drew praise from then-manager Rob Andrew, who stated "It was a pretty big debut for someone who hasn't played higher than Third Division North before."[4] He made his European Challenge Cup debut in a 27–8 defeat to Treviso,[5] His first appearance at fly-half, would not prove successful, as Newcastle lost 20–0 against London Irish.[6] By the end of that season, he had made six appearances in the league and five in the Challenge Cup.[7] He would feature far less the following season, making just four league appearances and two in the European Challenge Cup, although he did score his first professional tries against Valladolid RAC in a 71–10 victory for the Falcons.[8] He made five Premiership appearances in the 2004/05 season,[9] with his Heineken Cup debut coming against Newport Gwent Dragons, playing at fly half in a 25–17 victory.[10] 2005/06 would see him play just once, a brief appearance from the replacement's bench in a 27–18 defeat against Saracens.[11]

Post-retirement

In 2006, Wilkinson retired from professional rugby, aged 28, to become the academy fitness and conditioning coach at Newcastle, at the same time Rob Bowen joined the club's academy.[12] He remained in the post for three years, before departing the club in 2009.[13] Two years after his departure, he started the Fineside clothing range alongside his brother.[14]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: England/ Players & Officials / Mark Wilkinson . ESPN . 6 May 2013.
  2. Web site: Rugby / Newcastle Falcons / Mark Wilkinson: career stats . Statbunker.com . 6 May 2013 . dead . https://archive.today/20130616140533/http://www.statbunker.com/rugby/btb/index.php?PL=player&PlayerID=5827&PlayerCompType=1&season=&StatType=byCompType&pointsType=&PlayerInClubID= . 16 June 2013 .
  3. Web site: Zurich Premiership Preview . The Telegraph . 25 August 2002 . 6 May 2013.
  4. Web site: Oh brother, what a dream debut for Mark . The Evening Chronicle . 30 September 2002 . 6 May 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130506075258/http://www.sundaysun.co.uk/sport/rugby-north-east/2002/09/30/oh-brother-what-a-dream-debut-for-mark-79310-12242084/ . 6 May 2013 .
  5. Web site: Benetton Treviso 27–8 Newcastle Falcons . Amlin Challenge Cup . 6 May 2013.
  6. Web site: Falcons at 10 – 2002/03 Survival Special . FalconsRugby.org.uk . 7 August 2005 . 6 May 2013.
  7. Web site: Rugby / Newcastle Falcons / Mark Wilkinson: 2002–2003 season . Statbunker.com . 6 May 2013 . dead . https://archive.today/20130616140501/http://www.statbunker.com/rugby/btb/index.php?PL=player&PlayerID=5827&PlayerCompType=&season=2002&StatType=seasonmatches&pointsType=&PlayerInClubID= . 16 June 2013 .
  8. Web site: Result – Valladolid 10 vs Newcastle Falcons 71 6th December 2003 . Newcastle Falcons . 6 December 2003 . 6 May 2013.
  9. Web site: Rugby / Newcastle Falcons / Mark Wilkinson: 2004–2005 season . Statbunker.com . 6 May 2013 . dead . https://archive.today/20130616140544/http://www.statbunker.com/rugby/btb/index.php?PL=player&PlayerID=5827&PlayerCompType=&season=2004&StatType=seasonmatches&pointsType=&PlayerInClubID= . 16 June 2013 .
  10. Web site: Newcastle Falcons 25 v 17 Newport Gwent Dragons . Heinekin Cup . 16 January 2005 . 6 May 2013.
  11. Web site: Guinness Premiership 2005/06 / Saracens VS Newcastle Falcons . Statbunker.com . dead . https://archive.today/20130616140440/http://www.statbunker.com/rugby/btb/index.php?PL=match&MatchID=12195 . 16 June 2013 .
  12. Web site: Double Boost For Falcons Academy . Newcastle Falcons . 30 May 2006 . 6 May 2013.
  13. Web site: Jonny Wilkinson to launch clothes range Fineside . The Telegraph . 29 August 2011 . 6 May 2013 . Richard . Tyler.
  14. Web site: Jonny & Mark Wilkinson . Drapers . 2 September 2011 . 6 May 2013 . Ana . Santi.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Mark Wilkinson (rugby union)".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.