--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I'm very happy to be back playing rugby…" description: "\"I'm very happy to be back playing rugby for England again - there were times when I questioned if this would happen.\" — Jonny Wilkinson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/950/jonny-wilkinson-21004_england_i-m-very-happy-to-be-back-playing-rugby_2941146.png" --- # I'm very happy to be back playing rugby for England again… ![“I'm very happy to be back playing rugby for England again - there were times when I questioned if this would happen.” quote by Jonny Wilkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/950/jonny-wilkinson-21004_england_i-m-very-happy-to-be-back-playing-rugby_2941146.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/950/jonny-wilkinson-21004_england_i-m-very-happy-to-be-back-playing-rugby_2941146.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/950/jonny-wilkinson-21004_england_i-m-very-happy-to-be-back-playing-rugby_2941146.png) > “I'm very happy to be back playing rugby for England again - there were times when I questioned if this would happen.” [Jonny Wilkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonny-wilkinson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Returning to rugby for England brought joy after doubt, highlighting perseverance and the reward of achieving a long‑held dream. **In simple terms:** Persistence leads to fulfillment. Key Takeaway Keep pursuing your goals. Themes sports resilience achievement joy Mood optimistic reflective Type sports motivational When to use this quote - training regimen - mental preparation - team dynamics Key Concepts professional athletics personal comeback Questions to Reflect On - What kept you motivated during doubt? - How do you handle setbacks? A Different Perspective Injuries or age can limit returns. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [England](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/england/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Playing rugby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/playing-rugby/) [Rugby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rugby/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [In 2011 I stopped playing rugby for England so during the Six Nations, which is on during February and March, I was able to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-tindall/in-2011-i-stopped-playing-rugby-for-england-so-during-the-six-nations/) [Mike Tindall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-tindall/) > [I will support Ireland at rugby, but when England and Ireland are playing, I sit on the fence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-morgan/i-will-support-ireland-at-rugby-but-when-england-and-ireland-are/) [Eoin Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-morgan/) > [I was an ambassador for Betway during the Rugby World Cup and at the moment I'm working as an ambassador for Artemis Investment Management.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-tindall/i-was-an-ambassador-for-betway-during-the-rugby-world-cup-and-at-the/) [Mike Tindall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-tindall/) > [I played ten injury-free years between the ages of 12 and 22. Then, suddenly, it seemed like I was allergic to the twentieth century.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nigel-melville/i-played-ten-injury-free-years-between-the-ages-of-12-and-22-then/) Nigel Melville > [Playing rugby has been my whole life and for me, keeping fit was part of my job. But when I gave up my career,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gareth-thomas/playing-rugby-has-been-my-whole-life-and-for-me-keeping-fit-was-part/) [Gareth Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gareth-thomas/) > [I've seen a lot people like him, but they weren't playing on the wing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-meads/i-ve-seen-a-lot-people-like-him-but-they-weren-t-playing-on-the-wing/) Colin Meads > [I really enjoyed playing rugby. I loved the camaraderie with the other athletes. It was kind of like fighting. Team fighting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-nelson/i-really-enjoyed-playing-rugby-i-loved-the-camaraderie-with-the-other/) [Roy Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-nelson/) > [I was playing rugby and the other games English school children do, and there was an event in which races were run, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-bannister/i-was-playing-rugby-and-the-other-games-english-school-children-do/) [Roger Bannister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-bannister/) > [My favourite sport at school was rugby. All sports are teamwork, but rugby particularly is about teamwork and I think teamwork is the essence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-brown/my-favourite-sport-at-school-was-rugby-all-sports-are-teamwork-but/) [Gordon Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-brown/) > [“Some bruises you wear like badges of honour: when you got it playing rugby, or quad racing, or falling off something while drunk, no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-murray/some-bruises-you-wear-like-badges-of-honour-when-you-got-it-playing/) [paul murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-murray/) > [While it can be aggressive playing rugby, the aggression doesn't leave the rugby pitch. A Real Man doesn't need to use violence or be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-care/while-it-can-be-aggressive-playing-rugby-the-aggression-doesn-t-leave/) Danny Care > [I've always said that playing rugby in Spain is like being a bullfighter in Japan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/javier-bardem/i-ve-always-said-that-playing-rugby-in-spain-is-like-being-a/) [Javier Bardem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/javier-bardem/) > [I loved playing rugby so much. I would have played rugby every day if I could have. I loved being a player so much,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gareth-thomas/i-loved-playing-rugby-so-much-i-would-have-played-rugby-every-day-if/) [Gareth Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gareth-thomas/) > [Good big blokes are better than good little blokes. Then again, good little blokes are better than dud big blokes. And dud big blokes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-dwyer/good-big-blokes-are-better-than-good-little-blokes-then-again-good/) Bob Dwyer > [I'm 49, I've had a brain haemorrhage and a triple bypass and I could still go out and play a reasonable game of rugby…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graham-lowe/i-m-49-i-ve-had-a-brain-haemorrhage-and-a-triple-bypass-and-i-could/) Graham Lowe ## More by Jonny Wilkinson > [Those Aussie rugby fans are a bunch of sore losers. I hate 'em all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonny-wilkinson/those-aussie-rugby-fans-are-a-bunch-of-sore-losers-i-hate-em-all/) [Jonny Wilkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonny-wilkinson/) > [I wouldn't go in a fast food outlet even to use the toilet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonny-wilkinson/i-wouldn-t-go-in-a-fast-food-outlet-even-to-use-the-toilet/) [Jonny Wilkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonny-wilkinson/) > [The conversation topic in my head is not what role I should play; it is whether I am going to play at all,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonny-wilkinson/the-conversation-topic-in-my-head-is-not-what-role-i-should-play-it/) [Jonny Wilkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonny-wilkinson/) > [Right through to the end of the last World Cup game, I still couldn't bear the thought of not being perfect or letting people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonny-wilkinson/right-through-to-the-end-of-the-last-world-cup-game-i-still-couldn-t/) [Jonny Wilkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonny-wilkinson/) > [For me now, I will continue to focus ever harder on my goal of being the very best I can be with Toulon Rugby…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonny-wilkinson/for-me-now-i-will-continue-to-focus-ever-harder-on-my-goal-of-being/) [Jonny Wilkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonny-wilkinson/) > [I do, have done and always will believe that I am very capable of performing and thriving at any level of the sport.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonny-wilkinson/i-do-have-done-and-always-will-believe-that-i-am-very-capable-of/) [Jonny Wilkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonny-wilkinson/) > [Playing the game, representing the team, giving my all and never letting go has meant everything to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonny-wilkinson/playing-the-game-representing-the-team-giving-my-all-and-never/) [Jonny Wilkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonny-wilkinson/) > [I only get the points because I have team-mates who do the work and put me in the position to get them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonny-wilkinson/i-only-get-the-points-because-i-have-team-mates-who-do-the-work-and/) [Jonny Wilkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonny-wilkinson/) > [ I know that Martin Johnson \[the England coach\] was in the stands, but I didn't feel it was up to me to impress them.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonny-wilkinson/i-know-that-martin-johnson-the-england-coach-was-in-the-stands-but-i/) [Jonny Wilkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonny-wilkinson/) > [The problem with me is I always think I should've done better. I felt that after the World Cup final and through my whole…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonny-wilkinson/the-problem-with-me-is-i-always-think-i-should-ve-done-better-i-felt/) [Jonny Wilkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonny-wilkinson/) > [When you're obsessive, like me, searching for something unattainable can become unhealthy ... it's like falling through the air and grabbing at the clouds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonny-wilkinson/when-you-re-obsessive-like-me-searching-for-something-unattainable/) [Jonny Wilkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonny-wilkinson/) > [To say I have played through four World Cups, two Lions tours, 91 international games and a ridiculous number of injuries and other setbacks…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonny-wilkinson/to-say-i-have-played-through-four-world-cups-two-lions-tours-91/) [Jonny Wilkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonny-wilkinson/) > [To make this announcement fills me with great sadness, but I know I have been blessed in so many ways to have experienced what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonny-wilkinson/to-make-this-announcement-fills-me-with-great-sadness-but-i-know-i/) [Jonny Wilkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonny-wilkinson/) > [I like to think I play rugby as it should be played - there are no yellow or red cards in my collection -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonny-wilkinson/i-like-to-think-i-play-rugby-as-it-should-be-played-there-are-no/) [Jonny Wilkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonny-wilkinson/) > [I want to be more than just some guy who played in a World Cup final.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonny-wilkinson/i-want-to-be-more-than-just-some-guy-who-played-in-a-world-cup-final/) [Jonny Wilkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonny-wilkinson/) [Explore all 30 Jonny Wilkinson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonny-wilkinson/) ## More England quotes > [Forcing modern speakers of English to not - whoops, not to split an infinitive because it isn't done in Latin makes about as much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-pinker/forcing-modern-speakers-of-english-to-not-whoops-not-to-split-an/) [Steven Pinker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-pinker/) > [I did not know that the planning for biological and chemical warfare was so widespread in England, and even in France before France fell.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholson-baker/i-did-not-know-that-the-planning-for-biological-and-chemical-warfare/) [Nicholson Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholson-baker/) > [I didn't want to do 'Fashion Police' because I thought, 'This is stupid, this is beneath me, who wants to talk about fashion?' It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-rivers/i-didn-t-want-to-do-fashion-police-because-i-thought-this-is-stupid/) [Joan Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-rivers/) > [ Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then \[these?\],… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in-england-in-1624-and-in-this/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [Why did Erich von Stronheim leave Germany? Why did Hitchcock leave England? If you were a director you'd like to work in Hollywood too.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roman-polanski/why-did-erich-von-stronheim-leave-germany-why-did-hitchcock-leave/) [Roman Polanski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roman-polanski/) > [I'm from Europe, England, and I actually lived in Italy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adewale-akinnuoye-agbaje/i-m-from-europe-england-and-i-actually-lived-in-italy/) [Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adewale-akinnuoye-agbaje/) > [If I had been an Italian I am sure that I should have been whole-heartedly with you from the start to finish in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/if-i-had-been-an-italian-i-am-sure-that-i-should-have-been-whole/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [“This spending of the best part of one's life earning money in order to enjoy a questionable liberty during the least valuable part of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/this-spending-of-the-best-part-of-one-s-life-earning-money-in-order/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > ['Downton Abbey' is my worst nightmare. I just hate that whole 'Upstairs Downstairs' thing, I think it's really lazy and it doesn't represent England,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-payne/downton-abbey-is-my-worst-nightmare-i-just-hate-that-whole-upstairs/) [Tom Payne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-payne/) > [Although I don't have anything against people from other countries, the higher the influx into England the more the British identity disappears.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/although-i-don-t-have-anything-against-people-from-other-countries/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [These fledgling democracies in the Middle East, they're actually fighting for their freedom. And what are they rioting for in England? Leisurewear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noel-gallagher/these-fledgling-democracies-in-the-middle-east-they-re-actually/) [Noel Gallagher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noel-gallagher/) > [In the olden days in England, you could be hung for stealing a sheep or a loaf of bread. However, if a sheep stole…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-harding/in-the-olden-days-in-england-you-could-be-hung-for-stealing-a-sheep/) [Mike Harding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-harding/) > [“Of France and England, did this king succeed; Whose state so many had the managing. That they lost France and made his England bleed.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/of-france-and-england-did-this-king-succeed-whose-state-so-many-had/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [In my view, fitness training isn't that important in England, as they all train with such intensity anyway and have a competitive edge when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claudio-ranieri/in-my-view-fitness-training-isn-t-that-important-in-england-as-they/) [Claudio Ranieri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claudio-ranieri/) > [England expects every man to do his duty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horatio-nelson/england-expects-every-man-to-do-his-duty/) [Horatio Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horatio-nelson/) [Browse all 4,190 England quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/england/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I'm very happy to be back playing rugby for England again - there were times when I questioned if this would happen.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jonny Wilkinson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonny-wilkinson/i-m-very-happy-to-be-back-playing-rugby-for-england-again-there-were/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "England" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonny-wilkinson/i-m-very-happy-to-be-back-playing-rugby-for-england-again-there-were/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/950/jonny-wilkinson-21004_england_i-m-very-happy-to-be-back-playing-rugby_2941146.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/950/jonny-wilkinson-21004_england_i-m-very-happy-to-be-back-playing-rugby_2941146.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/950/jonny-wilkinson-21004_england_i-m-very-happy-to-be-back-playing-rugby_2941146.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I'm very happy to be back playing rugby for England again - there were times when I questioned if this would…” — Jonny Wilkinson", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Jonny Wilkinson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonny-wilkinson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I'm very happy to be back...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonny-wilkinson/i-m-very-happy-to-be-back-playing-rugby-for-england-again-there-were/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonny-wilkinson/i-m-very-happy-to-be-back-playing-rugby-for-england-again-there-were/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```