10:11am Tuesday 9th March 2010
By Chris Phillips
ENGLAND superstar Jonny Wilkinson was a surprise visitor to Southend Rugby Club last week.
The legendary fly-half, who secured World Cup glory for his country in 2003, coached the Seasiders at their Warners Bridge base.
And his words of wisdom obviously did the trick as Southend thrashed Canterbury 37-5 on Saturday.
“I know Jonny well as we played mini rugby together and also played in the same representative sides during our youth,” said Southend’s head coach Andy Holloway.
“I had a word with him to come down and I didn’t tell anyone about it because otherwise it could have turned in to a bit of a circus.
“Even the players didn’t know Jonny was going to be at their training session until they arrived, so I think they were surprised to see him there but it was great he could make it.”
Wilkinson’s appearance inspired Southend’s fly-half Dan Boughtwood who produced a fine performance and did not miss a single kick against Canterbury.
The New Zealander bagged a try, four conversions and three penalties during a man-of-the-match display which saw the Seasiders secure a fifth win in six games to strengthen his side’s grip on fifth place in the National Two South standings.
“Dan played really well,” said Holloway. “He enjoyed a 100 per cent record with his kicking so whatever Jonny told him must have worked.”
Wilkinson will be back in action for England this Saturday as they continue their Six Nations campaign away against Scotland. The 30-year-old has played 76 times for his country and is their leading ever points scorer with 1,096 points to his name.
Wilkinson has also played for the British Lions and Boughtwood could not believe his eyes when he saw him at Warners Bridge.
“I was one of the first players there and it was quite surreal to see Jonny Wilkinson standing there,” said Boughtwood.
“It was certainly a shock but I had 15 minutes on my own with him going through my kicking and his techniques and abilities are amazing.
“I’ve always had a slight problem with my kicks drawing from one side to another but just the way he places the ball on the tee helps eliminate that.
“What he had to say was a huge help and it was fantastic he came down.”
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