Rugby legend Will Greenwood on being teammates with Johnny Wilkinson and his new book

Virgin Radio

11 Feb 2022, 12:52

The former English Rugby player joined the Chris Evans Breakfast Show with Sky to talk about being teammates with Johnny Wilkinson, writing his new book and what England need to do better in this week's Six Nations match.

Greenwood secured his legendary status when he became the third highest try scorer in English Rugby history. He was also part of the 2003 World Cup winning team, alongside man of the match Johnny Wilkinson.

When asked what he was like to work with, Will replied: “He dragged us into the 21st century.

“He was a kid who just rocked up and started doing things. We liked to train on Tuesday and Thursday night under the floodlights, go for a beer and go to work. Then suddenly, this new age athlete arrives and starts talking about sports science, starts looking after himself and stretching, and we were like, ‘What is this kid doing?’”

The rugby legend continued: “We had a bunch of old guys who were quite good, but we couldn't go to the next level. And the next level needed someone like Johnny.”

He added: “There are certain people who just walk into a room, and you just go ‘I don't know what it is. But they've got it.’”

Speaking of people who have got ‘it’, Will was on the Breakfast Show to talk about the new book he wrote with CEO and founder of The Growth House, Ben Fennell.

‘World Class: How To Lead, Learn And Grow Like A Champion’,  aims to identify the characteristics of world-class performance with contributions from the likes of Rio Ferdinand, Helen Glover, Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, Michael Johnson, Sir Clive Woodward, and Gary and Tracy Neville.

Speaking about the project, Will said: “We wanted this book to be about both business and sport, not separate, and what we feel that so many things you can take from businesses.”

For Greenwood, one of the things that made him such a good rugby player was the business mindset to problem solve, which is a skill he thinks everyone should learn.

He explained: “One of my USPs is understanding your own super strength is really important in life. I'm just a good problem solver.

“So, when we were losing in the World Cup final, I thought, ‘So, all right now guys, you can kick goals, where could I contribute? I could work our way’.”

Of course, England is due to play Italy in the Six Nations this Sunday at 3pm, when asked by Chris what the team needed to do to be better, Greenwood had his own feedback.

He said: “Play with pace and tempo. Don't worry about last week, and let the scoreboard look after itself.

“The performance is there. If they worry about winning from minute one, you tighten up-it's a bit like being on a golf tee. And there's water on the right-hand side.”

‘World Class: How To Lead, Learn And Grow Like A Champion’ is out now.