Owen Farrell breaks Jonny Wilkinson's England points record

Owen Farrell has overtaken Jonny Wilkinson as the leading points-scorer in England rugby union history.

The 32-year-old went into England's final Rugby World Cup pool match against Samoa on 1,178 points for his country, one behind Wilkinson and knowing that any type of score would see him surpass the legendary fly-half.

Farrell missed one chance to do so when he put a conversion wide after Ollie Chessum's try, but the historic moment came in the 18th minute when he knocked over a penalty to take him on to 1,181 points - a haul which also includes 10 tries.

The captain, who was playing at inside-centre with George Ford at 10, made his international debut in 2012 and has since featured 109 times for his country, including this evening's meeting with Samoa.

𝙍𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙧𝙙 𝙗𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙧! 🙌@Owen_Faz has overtaken the legendary @JonnyWilkinson to become the top points scorer in England Rugby history 👏 pic.twitter.com/aF0V99KLWs

— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) October 7, 2023

By contrast, Wilkinson registered his 1,179 points in 91 Tests between 1998 and 2011.

The World Cup winner remains above Farrell in terms of all-time international points due to his superior haul for the British and Irish Lions, with Wilkinson sitting on 1,246 points - second on the all-time list behind only New Zealand legend Dan Carter (1,598).

Farrell is closing in on that tally, though, starting the match against Samoa on 1,212 points.