Jonny: My Autobiography (67 page)

Thankfully, this one hits the mark in the RWC 2007 semi-final and we pull away just enough from a French team who were flying high.

What a player, and a truly nice guy too. I give you the legendary Jason Robinson.

The incredibly gifted Matthew Tait. Awesome player, great friend.

Four years on and so close. It was a phenomenal effort from a fabulous group. It still hurts.

A proud and exciting moment for me, alongside President Mourad Boudjellal, as I sign for French team RC Toulon.

Wearing the colours with pride, and sporting my new South of France tan.

What a pleasure to be on the same field as two of the world’s best back-rowers. Joe Van Niekerk and Juan Lobbe.

Le petit General Pierre Mignoni. A true example of what’s great about French rugby.

Carl Hayman, Juan Lobbe and myself leap from the white rocks of Cassis.

Top Right: Shelley and I at her twin sister Tracey’s wedding near their family home in Bristol.

Top Left: A bit of down-time and a laugh with Shelley. She has been absolutely amazing for me. Heaven knows, I can’t be easy to live with!

Right: You won’t find a more loyal and supportive bunch. Shelley, Mum, Dad and my godparents Bren and Myf at the World Cup in Paris, 2007.

Left: Mame, Bilks and Sparks. I will never be able to thank you enough.

Top left: Enjoying my international rugby again after a good start to the season in France.

Top right: Harder times, and with them a real challenge for me.

Middle left: The influence of Sonny Bill. I manage to get this one-handed offload away to Nick Easter in the quarter-final versus France.

Middle right: Sending it out wide to Manu and Tinds against the Pumas.

Bottom left: A good opportunity to remind myself that no matter how tough things seem, we are and have been a privileged bunch to be doing what we do for a living. A glorious stage on which to practise my kicking in Queenstown

Bottom right: A right foot drop goal against Scotland.