Sir Jonny Wilkinson?

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England rugby legend Jonny Wilkinson to be knighted in New Year's Honours next week

Rugby hero Jonny Wilkinson is to set to ­receive a knighthood in the Queen’s New Year Honours next week.

The 35-year-old, who ­inspired England to World Cup glory in Sydney in 2003, has had a glittering 17-year career.

But he is also being ­recognised for his ­extensive charity work in Britain, including for the NSPCC, and in France, where he played for Toulon for five years.

A well-placed source said tonight: “Jonny is one of Britain’s greatest-ever sportsmen.

“He has always represented England with distinction. He is a hero and a shining example to millions around the world. He thoroughly deserves this.”

Wilkinson, who played fly-half and inside centre, announced his retirement from rugby union in May. He spent 12 seasons with Newcastle Falcons before joining Toulon in 2009.

His performance in the Sydney World Cup earned him the OBE in the 2004 New Year Honours list.

Wilkinson kicked a last-minute drop-goal in extra time to seal victory over Australia in the final – and had earlier kicked all of England’s points in their 24-7 semi-final win over France.

In 2007, he overtook Gavin Hastings as the tournament’s all-time high-scorer.

He became the first player to pass 1,000 points for England in 2008, overtaking Argentine Hugo Porta’s world record, and the next month was confirmed as test ­rugby’s leading scorer.

Wilkinson is one of just five men to score more than 1,000 points in international rugby and the only player to score points in two separate World Cup finals.

He married long-term ­girlfriend Shelley in 2013 and has won BBC Sports Personality of the Year. The star has been tipped for a knighthood repeatedly though his career was blighted by injuries.

ScarletSpiderman wrote:

nathan wrote:

ScarletSpiderman wrote:

doctor_grey wrote:

BigTrevsbigmac wrote:This would be a great choice if it's true.
There isn't a better ambassador for our sport & one of the best role models for youngsters.

I am sure Jonny will be one of those rare people who will give the same respect to the Honour that the Honour bestows on him.    

Can someone clarify why it is an honour to be knighted, obe/mbe/cbe, and why someone with these deserves more respect than your normal work a day bloke?  Why do celebs/sports people get 'honoured' for doing their job, when Dai the bricky who worked his rump off labouring from the age of 16-65+ is expected to do that because it is his job?

The whole Sir/MBE/CBE/OBE stuff is just farcical celeb worship.

I don't think you understand the award to be honest, it isn't just about them doing their job. It's about them getting to the very top of their field and also doing a tremendous amount of work for charity.

I think you don't understand my objection,.

A top class road sweeper who puts all his spare change in the charity box at the post office, is just as important and noble a person, if not more noble, than a professional storts star.  If anything pro sports people have their player of the year awards, their sports personality of the year etc.  What do the work a day folk have?  A minor few do get an honour, but let's face it compared to celebs/sports people next to no commoners get any notice.

Don't reply with common sense, SS. That way he'll find it difficult to slag off Welsh and Irish!

Top class road sweeper? It, like most things us commoners do require little skill, ability, dedication etc. If there is an honours system(I would absolutely not refer to a 'sir' as sir BTW) it would be a farce to award it to some unremarkable person for being average and doing a few hrs of work a day. As far as sportsmen being honoured I'd say wilkinson is pretty deserving for his role model behavior.

Scarlet have you looked at the full list of honors from previous years?

nathan wrote:Scarlet have you looked at the full list of honors from previous years?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/honours-list/10542766/New-Year-Honours-2014-list-in-full.html

Being honest, not many run of the mill jobs there,at least not near the top or middle of the 'honours'. The every day folk are miles down the list.

Anyway, I apologise if it seems I've derailed this going down the road of politics etc.

Wilko has had a hell of a career, and is a good example to kids.

I agree with many people about honours:  They were originally given for outstanding service to the sovereign and the nation. Somewhere this evolved into the current situation.  It seems almost contradictory how someone can earn honours as an actor, banker, sportsman, etc..  Many people who receive honours seem not to care which makes a mockery and diminishes the award.   My point about Jonny was that I believe he would treat it with the respect it is due.  That is rare enough, and could only embellish his status a great role model.

Well it's been confirmed that there will be no knighthood for Jonny Wilkinson, however there are MBEs for World Cup winners Rochelle Clark and Sarah Hunter.

Interesting. Irelands Paddy Barnes scooped an award too.

nathan wrote:

ScarletSpiderman wrote:

doctor_grey wrote:

BigTrevsbigmac wrote:This would be a great choice if it's true.
There isn't a better ambassador for our sport & one of the best role models for youngsters.

I am sure Jonny will be one of those rare people who will give the same respect to the Honour that the Honour bestows on him.    

Can someone clarify why it is an honour to be knighted, obe/mbe/cbe, and why someone with these deserves more respect than your normal work a day bloke?  Why do celebs/sports people get 'honoured' for doing their job, when Dai the bricky who worked his rump off labouring from the age of 16-65+ is expected to do that because it is his job?

The whole Sir/MBE/CBE/OBE stuff is just farcical celeb worship.

I don't think you understand the award to be honest, it isn't just about them doing their job. It's about them getting to the very top of their field and also doing a tremendous amount of work for charity.

Jonathan Davies and Gavin Hastings would both be more worthy of the award than wilkinson on your criteria.

Glad the possible knighthood was a hoax as I think it was unjustified to a man who still has so much time to do so much more with his life that might be worthy of such an honour.

Selling more overpriced Hackett jackets?

What a joke, the man is a sporting icon not just in england but also France a country he dumped out of the RWC not once but twice.

His time will come but in the mean time I find it amusing that the (non-wilko loving folk) mental scares still run deep when his name is mentioned lol.

TightHEAD wrote:What a joke, the man is a sporting icon not just in england but also France a country he dumped out of the RWC not once but twice.

His time will come but in the mean time I find it amusing that the (non-wilko loving folk) mental scares still run deep when his name is mentioned lol.

Oh yes, you went there are used "lol".

Didn't get it, Mirror making up it's own headlines once again

nathan wrote:Scarlet have you looked at the full list of honors from previous years?

To add...

SS - there are many 'ordinary' Welsh folk who have been recognised in this year's list, though admittedly not knighted. It's not normally bestowed on lollipop ladies and NHS volunteers though.

Blwyddyn Newydd Day.

Hound, my objection is not a nationalistic thing more a social standing thing.  I know of a woman who got an MBE for charity work, and in fairness she did a boatload of stuff for decades before being awarded it.  I think Wilko would have to have been doing charity work in the womb to have done as much as her.

Anyhoo, happy new year too all          

ScarletSpiderman wrote:Hound, my objection is not a nationalistic thing more a social standing thing.  I know of a woman who got an MBE for charity work, and in fairness she did a boatload of stuff for decades before being awarded it.  I think Wilko would have to have been doing charity work in the womb to have done as much as her.

Anyhoo, happy new year too all                

Happy New Year to you, too, mate.  All the best.

I think there is a critical need for positive role models in society outside the family.  Especially as the family unit is weakening in many places.  I am sure the woman you mention would be terrific.  I have served and worked with a number of people who have been awarded honours. Almost all would be positive role models as well if given more public recognition (and if they wanted recognition, and most of those I know do not).   Whether we like it or not, many boys and young men look to sportsmen.  Jonny already fits the bill perfectly.    

I believe honours have been given out like free cheeseburgers at McDonalds.  Time to redefine and reduce the numbers given out. And thereby, inflate the importance for each honour.

OMc wrote:Well it's been confirmed that there will be no knighthood for Jonny Wilkinson, however there are MBEs for World Cup winners Rochelle Clark and Sarah Hunter.

Why not for the whole squad? It happened for the Boys back in '03. I think the girls deserved more recognition as they were pretty much amateurs too. Womens rugby is much more on the map as a result of their hard work.

Mr Bounce wrote:

OMc wrote:Well it's been confirmed that there will be no knighthood for Jonny Wilkinson, however there are MBEs for World Cup winners Rochelle Clark and Sarah Hunter.

Why not for the whole squad? It happened for the Boys back in '03. I think the girls deserved more recognition as they were pretty much amateurs too. Womens rugby is much more on the map as a result of their hard work.

I comepltetly agree and Emily Scarratt should get a HAWT for just breathing