Mark Wilkinson (rugby union)
{{short description|English rugby union player}}
{{About|the English Rugby Union player|others with the same name|Mark Wilkinson (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2013}}
{{Infobox rugby biography
| name = Mark Wilkinson
| image =
| width =
| caption =
| birth_name = Mark James Philip Wilkinson
| birth_date = {{birth date and age |1977|11|21|df=y}}
| birth_place = Wokingham, England
| height = {{convert|6|ft|3|in|m|2|abbr=on}}{{cite web |url=http://www.espnscrum.com/england/rugby/player/126837.html |title=England/ Players & Officials / Mark Wilkinson |publisher=ESPN |accessdate=6 May 2013}}
| weight = {{convert|238|lb|kg|abbr=on}}
| position = Centre
| amatyears1 = 2001–2002
| amatyears2 = 2002
| amatteam1 = Darlington Mowden Park
| amatapps1 = 10
| amatpoints1 = 15
| ru_amupdate = 6 May 2013
| years1 = 2002–2006
| clubs1 = Newcastle Falcons
| apps1 = 16
| points1 = 5
| clubupdate = 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.
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.{{cite web |url=http://www.statbunker.com/rugby/btb/index.php?PL=player&PlayerID=5827&PlayerCompType=1&season=&StatType=byCompType&pointsType=&PlayerInClubID= |title=Rugby / Newcastle Falcons / Mark Wilkinson: career stats |publisher=Statbunker.com |accessdate=6 May 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130616140533/http://www.statbunker.com/rugby/btb/index.php?PL=player&PlayerID=5827&PlayerCompType=1&season=&StatType=byCompType&pointsType=&PlayerInClubID= |archivedate=16 June 2013 }}
=2002–2006=
In August 2002, Wilkinson signed for Newcastle Falcons, where his brother, Jonny, was captain.{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/club/3033299/Zurich-Premiership-Preview.html |title=Zurich Premiership Preview |work=The Telegraph |date=25 August 2002 |accessdate=6 May 2013}} 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, who stated "It was a pretty big debut for someone who hasn't played higher than Third Division North before."{{cite web|url=http://www.sundaysun.co.uk/sport/rugby-north-east/2002/09/30/oh-brother-what-a-dream-debut-for-mark-79310-12242084/ |title=Oh brother, what a dream debut for Mark |publisher=The Evening Chronicle |date=30 September 2002 |accessdate=6 May 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130506075258/http://www.sundaysun.co.uk/sport/rugby-north-east/2002/09/30/oh-brother-what-a-dream-debut-for-mark-79310-12242084/ |archivedate=6 May 2013 }} He made his European Challenge Cup debut in a 27–8 defeat to Treviso,{{cite web |url=http://www.ercrugby.com/eng/matchcentre/17773.php |title=Benetton Treviso 27–8 Newcastle Falcons |publisher=Amlin Challenge Cup |accessdate=6 May 2013}} His first appearance at fly-half, would not prove successful, as Newcastle lost 20–0 against London Irish.{{cite web |url=http://www.rugbynetwork.net/main/s95/st78815.htm |title=Falcons at 10 – 2002/03 Survival Special |publisher=FalconsRugby.org.uk |date=7 August 2005 |accessdate=6 May 2013}} By the end of that season, he had made six appearances in the league and five in the Challenge Cup.{{cite web |url=http://www.statbunker.com/rugby/btb/index.php?PL=player&PlayerID=5827&PlayerCompType=&season=2002&StatType=seasonmatches&pointsType=&PlayerInClubID= |title=Rugby / Newcastle Falcons / Mark Wilkinson: 2002–2003 season |publisher=Statbunker.com |accessdate=6 May 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130616140501/http://www.statbunker.com/rugby/btb/index.php?PL=player&PlayerID=5827&PlayerCompType=&season=2002&StatType=seasonmatches&pointsType=&PlayerInClubID= |archivedate=16 June 2013 }} He would feature far less the following season, making just four league appearances and two in the European Challenge Cup, although he did score his first professional tries against Valladolid RAC in a 71–10 victory for the Falcons.{{cite web |url=http://www.newcastlefalcons.co.uk/news/story/04-12-2003-result-valladolid-10-vs-newcastle-falcons-71-6th-december-2003 |title=Result – Valladolid 10 vs Newcastle Falcons 71 6th December 2003 |publisher=Newcastle Falcons |date=6 December 2003 |accessdate=6 May 2013}} He made five Premiership appearances in the 2004/05 season,{{cite web |url=http://www.statbunker.com/rugby/btb/index.php?PL=player&PlayerID=5827&PlayerCompType=&season=2004&StatType=seasonmatches&pointsType=&PlayerInClubID= |title=Rugby / Newcastle Falcons / Mark Wilkinson: 2004–2005 season |publisher=Statbunker.com |accessdate=6 May 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130616140544/http://www.statbunker.com/rugby/btb/index.php?PL=player&PlayerID=5827&PlayerCompType=&season=2004&StatType=seasonmatches&pointsType=&PlayerInClubID= |archivedate=16 June 2013 }} with his Heineken Cup debut coming against Newport Gwent Dragons, playing at fly half in a 25–17 victory.{{cite web |url=http://www.ercrugby.com/eng/matchcentre/16723.php |title=Newcastle Falcons 25 v 17 Newport Gwent Dragons |publisher=Heinekin Cup |date=16 January 2005 |accessdate=6 May 2013}} 2005/06 would see him play just once, a brief appearance from the replacement's bench in a 27–18 defeat against Saracens.{{cite web |url=http://www.statbunker.com/rugby/btb/index.php?PL=match&MatchID=12195 |title=Guinness Premiership 2005/06 / Saracens VS Newcastle Falcons |publisher=Statbunker.com |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130616140440/http://www.statbunker.com/rugby/btb/index.php?PL=match&MatchID=12195 |archivedate=16 June 2013 }}
=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.{{cite web |url=http://www.newcastlefalcons.co.uk/news/story/30-05-2006-double-boost-for-falcons-academy |title=Double Boost For Falcons Academy |publisher=Newcastle Falcons |date=30 May 2006 |accessdate=6 May 2013}} He remained in the post for three years, before departing the club in 2009.{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/8728144/Jonny-Wilkinson-to-launch-clothes-range-Fineside.html |title=Jonny Wilkinson to launch clothes range Fineside |work=The Telegraph |date=29 August 2011 |accessdate=6 May 2013 |first=Richard |last=Tyler}} Two years after his departure, he started the Fineside clothing range alongside his brother.{{cite web |url=http://www.drapersonline.com/news/menswear/the-drapers-interview/jonny-and-mark-wilkinson/5028656.article |title=Jonny & Mark Wilkinson |publisher=Drapers |date=2 September 2011 |accessdate=6 May 2013 |first=Ana |last=Santi}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wilkinson, Mark}}
Category:English rugby union players