Mark Wilkinson (rugby union)

Mark Wilkinson
Full name Mark James Philip Wilkinson
Date of birth (1977-11-21) 21 November 1977
Place of birth Wokingham, England
Height 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)[1]
Weight 238 lb (108 kg)[1]
Rugby union career
Playing career
Position Centre
Amateur clubs
Years Club / team
2001–2002
2002		 Darlington Mowden Park
Gateshead Thunder
correct as of 6 May 2013.
Professional / senior clubs
Years Club / team Caps (points)
2002–2006 Newcastle 16 5
correct as of 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 the 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, whom 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] At the end of the season, he had made six appearances in the league, and five in the European Challenge Cup.[7] He would feature far less the following season, making just four league appearances, and two Challenge Cup appearances, 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 Gwent Dragons, playing at fly half in a 25–17 victory.[10] 2005/06 would see him make just one appearance, a brief appearance from the substitute'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]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "England/ Players & Officials / Mark Wilkinson". ESPN. Retrieved 6 May 2013.
  2. ↑ "Rugby / Newcastle Falcons / Mark Wilkinson: career stats". Statbunker.com. Retrieved 6 May 2013.
  3. ↑ "Zurich Premiership Preview". The Telegraph. 25 August 2002. Retrieved 6 May 2013.
  4. ↑ "Oh brother, what a dream debut for Mark". The Evening Chronicle. 30 September 2002. Archived from the original on 6 May 2013. Retrieved 6 May 2013.
  5. ↑ "Benetton Treviso 27–8 Newcastle Falcons". Amlin Challenge Cup. Retrieved 6 May 2013.
  6. ↑ "Falcons at 10 – 2002/03 Survival Special". FalconsRugby.org.uk. 7 August 2005. Retrieved 6 May 2013.
  7. ↑ "Rugby / Newcastle Falcons / Mark Wilkinson: 2002–2003 season". Statbunker.com. Retrieved 6 May 2013.
  8. ↑ "Result – Valladolid 10 vs Newcastle Falcons 71 6th December 2003". Newcastle Falcons. 6 December 2003. Retrieved 6 May 2013.
  9. ↑ "Rugby / Newcastle Falcons / Mark Wilkinson: 2004–2005 season". Statbunker.com. Retrieved 6 May 2013.
  10. ↑ "Newcastle Falcons 25 v 17 Newport Gwent Dragons". Heinekin Cup. 16 January 2005. Retrieved 6 May 2013.
  11. ↑ "Guinness Premiership 2005/06 / Saracens VS Newcastle Falcons". Statbunker.com.
  12. ↑ "Double Boost For Falcons Academy". Newcastle Falcons. 30 May 2006. Retrieved 6 May 2013.
  13. ↑ Tyler, Richard (29 August 2011). "Jonny Wilkinson to launch clothes range Fineside". The Telegraph. Retrieved 6 May 2013.
  14. ↑ Santi, Ana (2 September 2011). "Jonny & Mark Wilkinson". Drapers. Retrieved 6 May 2013.
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