Jonny: England's Â£1.5m man

14 April 2012

Jonny Wilkinson has become the biggest earner in world rugby. Standard Sport can today reveal the extent of his astonishing off-field success which will see him bank £1.5million this year - almost three times as much as any other England player.

Wilkinson's face is currently one of the most recognisable in England after being featured in a number of high-profile advertising campaigns. He recently starred with David Beckham in a series of adidas television adverts and has other deals promoting Mercedes, Cartier, Lloyds TSB, Lucozade, Tetley's beer and the men's clothing store Hackett.

His earnings set him apart from the rest of the team, whose next highest-earner is the captain Martin Johnson with £600,000. Other big earners include Lawrence Dallaglio (£500,000), Jason Leonard (£400,000) and Will Greenwood (£300,000), but none of them are in Wilkinson's league.

Should England win the World Cup on 22 November, Wilkinson's stock will rise even further, making the £55,000 bonus he will collect as a member of the winning team look paltry.

However, Wilkinson spoke today of his desperate need to play down the expectations which are following England - and particularly their No 10 - everywhere. He said: "I have too many things on my 'to achieve' list to contemplate what the World Cup could bring. If I allowed myself to think too far ahead then it would be too overwhelming.

"I learned very quickly that things can change and nothing can be taken for granted.

"I wake every morning when I am with England and try to appreciate what I have got and the opportunities that it offers. I am being allowed to live a life that so many would love to get the chance to experience and it's a real privilege.

"I know that my name is constantly used in the headlines for match reports but what I achieve is down to the other 14 players who create the opportunities for me to kick the goals."

While the softly spoken Wilkinson is gradually becoming more at ease with the intense glare of the spotlight, he knows that the next few weeks could change his life.

"The attention is a necessary evil because people recognise me, but it's not what I am in the game for. The deals I have are fantastic and the shoots for the sponsors are enjoyable, particularly meeting someone like David Beckham.

"But, I am never comfortable in the public eye. I am an independent person and need to be able to go out for a meal without any hassles. Maybe I am having to work harder to find those private surroundings at the moment. I am learning to deal with it day by day."

But he pays a price for his stardom. Wilkinson says he is a born worrier who is constantly finding new concerns. "The list changes daily. Each day I need to understand the areas where I have gone wrong and how I can improve. I have always found it difficult to deal with the feelings that I have somehow let myself down.

"But it's what drives me on to work harder and become a better player. I like to think that I set my expectations for myself even higher than those around me. If I get a good reaction from the papers then I am probably less impressed with myself and conversely if there is criticism in the media then it will be nothing compared to the way I am having a go at myself inside.

"I have too many things on my wish list to be in a position where I would say 'this is as good as it gets so enjoy it'. I wake up every morning and try to remember how lucky I am to be given this opportunity with England and cherish it."

And, of course, the one thing he does not have to worry about is money. Win or lose on 22 November, Wilkinson will be quids in.

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