Jonny Wilkinson to announce shock retirement?

Sad news for Wilkinson fans. Speculation had been rife that Rugby World Cup–winning drop goal hero is about to announce his retirement from sports, at age 46, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 13/04/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being an athlete isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being an athlete just isn't fun anymore,” he might have said, says a source who remained anonymous. Other reports hinted that he may branch out into other creative fields he is better at (and more interested in), though they didn't provide any details.

#ThankYouJonny

For a little while on Sunday evening, #ThankYouJonny was a trending hashtag on Twitter. As many fans reminisce and look back on all the unforgettable memories, some may wonder what about now made him make the decision.

“Jonny Wilkinson was unlike any other athlete we’ve ever seen! #ThankYouJonny”
— @universalObserver, 12 Apr 2026

“I thought Jonny Wilkinson retired about 5 years ago?!?”
— @millythom, 12 Apr 2026

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