Brett Wilkinson has been named as part of the 39-man Ireland squad for the much anticipated November internationals against Australia and South Africa and the Ireland A games against Tonga and Argentina Jaguars.
Wilkinson, who matriculated at Kingswood College in 2002, played for the first team for two and a half years.
Brett Wilkinson has been named as part of the 39-man Ireland squad for the much anticipated November internationals against Australia and South Africa and the Ireland A games against Tonga and Argentina Jaguars.
Wilkinson, who matriculated at Kingswood College in 2002, played for the first team for two and a half years.
Speaking of his Kingswood rugby experience, he said it is “was very important to me, not only did it give me the tools to kick on and get me to where I am now, but it also taught me some life long lessons and skills to which I am truely grateful.”
He went on to play for the University of Cape Town U20A team in 2003 and for the UCT 1st XV from 2004 to 2006. In 2004 he was awarded the most improved senior player at UCT.
The turning point in Wilkinson’s rugby career came in May 2006 when he was offered a provincial contract to play professional rugby for Connacht in Galway, Ireland. After signing with Connach he was offered a Western Province Currie Cup contract in June of the same year.
Wilkinson is now eligible to play for Ireland through having been an Irish resident for three years and “Galway really is a home away from home,” he said.
Speaking of his selection in the training squad, Wilkinson said: “if the opportunity arises to represent Ireland at senior level I’ll jump at the prospect.
I think it’s important to test yourself at the highest level possible so it would be a fantastic chance and a great honour to achieve that.”
Wilkinson was part of the Connacht team which played South Africa in a warm-up match before the 2007 World Cup on 21 August.
“Personally it was a major milestone in my career as it gave me a chance to play against some of my childhood heroes.
Lining up opposite the likes of BJ Botha and Victor Matfield, legends of South African rugby, was a huge honour for me,” adding added that it was a huge game not only for the Connacht Rugby team but for the whole rugby community “here in the West of Ireland”.
South Africa went on to win the match 18-3, as South Africa went on to win the Webb Ellis Trophy, beating England 36-0 and Argentina 37-13.
Speaking of his school playing days, Wilkinson said a fond memory “would have to be playing my first game for Kingswood 1st XV, that was a great feeling.
Other good memories would be our team spirit and the way we always did well and boxed above our weight against the bigger schools.”
Wilkinson also remembers being part of the winning Kingswood side which beat Dale College for the first time in many years, as well as beating Greame and Hilton colleges.
Wilkinson says he misses the playing conditions in South Africa, “here in Galway, it can be sunny at lunchtime and pouring rain by the evening, but rugby- wise the team here is a great bunch of lads and it’s hard to imagine playing anywhere else at the moment.”
Wilkinson will be part of the 22-man Ireland A squad to play Tonga at Ravenhill today, following which the selectors will select players for the Australia match.
Wilkinson’s parents, Roger and Jenny, who live in Grahamstown, said: "If Brett is chosen to represent Ireland one day we would naturally be supporting him probably wearing a Springbok cap and an Irish top!"
