English rugby legend Jonathan Wilkinson OBE hosted a black-tie Testimonial Dinner in Hong Kong with British Airways as the official partner. The event was held to raise money for the Jonny Wilkinson Foundation.

During his visit to Hong Kong, Jonny shared his top travel tip, as well as his thoughts on the upcoming Rugby World Cup taking place this year in the United Kingdom.  

Regarded as an “icon of British sport”, Jonny revealed that relaxing is his biggest tip for flying. Before a big game he would always get plenty of rest and watch a few movies during the flight. He also commented that “British Airways has always looked after us brilliantly well.”

His fondest memory of flying is when he came back from Australia on a British Airways flight following the 2003 Rugby World Cup when England won.

Jonny goes on to say, '”Knowing that the job was done, that the World Cup belonged to us and that the hard work was over was an incredibly relaxing feeling and a huge relief! The beautiful combination of pride, fulfilment and anticipation of what was waiting for us back home made for a very positive 24 hour journey which seemed more like two hours.”

When asked which country he thought would win the 2015 Rugby World Cup, he said that it was anyone's game with New Zealand going in as the favourite and South Africa “hot on their heels”. Jonny added that he has high hopes for the England rugby team, if they embrace the home nature of the World Cup, then they will be a huge force to be reckoned with.

When asked about his favourite things to do in Hong Kong, he said exploring due to the landscape being so diverse.

Tracy Dedman, British Airways regional general manager, Greater China and the Philippines, said: "Jonny Wilkinson is a legend in the world of rugby. His contribution to the community is absolutely admirable and British Airways is proud to be an official partner to such a meaningful evening. We look forward to welcoming him on our flights again.”

British Airways operates a twice-daily service between Hong Kong and London. For more information visit ba.com.  

Q&A with Jonny Wilkinson

1.  You're here in Hong Kong for your testimonial, what are your favourite things to do while in the city?

I love exploring. The landscape of Hong Kong is so diverse. One minute, you can be sixty floors high in a hotel, by the sea the next and then hiking through the rainforest to finish off.

The culture is really interesting and incredibly warm. This trip has allowed me to meet a few people and embrace the unique energy. I have spent a lot of time coaching during my few days, mostly children, and they have definitely inspired me.

2. Have you been to Hong Kong Sevens?

I've never been to the 7s but it's on my list. Apparently, it can be more tiring watching than playing, or so I hear!

3. Which international teams did you most enjoy playing against?

I loved every game I played for my country. The England vs France games always created a unique atmosphere as did the autumn international fixtures against the Southern Hemisphere teams.

4. Around the world, what are your top five stadiums to play in?

This is an impossible task seeing as I have been privileged to play at so many great stadiums. It's probably going to come down to the ones which hold the best memories for me.

Twickenham for obvious reasons, Stade de France  was where I played my last ever game, Stade Mayol- Toulon's home pitch, Stadium Australia for the World Cup 2003 and then the old Wembley stadium even though we lost on our only outing there.

5. What are your favourite cities/ countries to tour?

My favourite touring venues were always where it was a bit sunnier. Contrary to popular belief the England team for whom I played loved to play open rugby in good weather.

The problem was that every other team was so good that you had to play to your strengths and take any advantage you could get to win. This meant using our big experienced boys up front who did a brilliant job. I'm not sure that they enjoyed the draining heat of Sydney, Brisbane and Marseille on a match day like I did though. Another favourite of mine was Bloemfontain in South Africa because this lovely sunny region also came with high altitude and thin air which made the balls fly further but breathing a lot more difficult!

6. Later this year, all eyes turn to London, who are the international players to watch at the World Cup?

There is always room for younger players to shine on the big stage but these sort of high intensity "once in a lifetime" competitions will always be dominated by the most composed and consistently performing. This means the guys who regularly front up to pressure and battle through will leave the biggest mark on the tournament. Leigh Halfpenny and Matt Giteau will be on England's radar for the group stages and big decision makers like Jonny Sexton, Ben Youngs, George Ford, Owen Farrell, Dan Carter, Pollard and Juan Hernandez will ultimately influence the passage of their own and other teams as will the captains.

7. Any tips on who will win?

It is a very open tournament. New Zealand will go in as favourites with South Africa hot on their heels. However, England will be right up there and if they can embrace the home nature of the World Cup then they will be a huge force to be reckoned with.

Ireland are in good form for sure, Argentina are a very clever team, the Pacific Island teams will bring some real excitement, France will be difficult to predict and Wales and Australia will be sure to turn up as ready as they can possibly be.

In other words: "It's anyone's game!"

8. Who is in your dream 15 team?

It would be impossible to name a dream team without putting an enormous amount of conditions in place. I am biased when it comes to people I have played with and even more so when it comes to the 2003 England team.

For instance when trying to pick a World Cup number 10 - who could honestly decide between Rob Andrew, Michael Lynagh, Joel Stransky, Dan Carter, Stephen Larkham, Ronan O Gara, Stephen Jones, Jannie De Beer, Andrew Mehrtens, Gregor Townsend, Freddie Michalak, etc. And that's just one position. Good luck with that!

9. If you can't get a ticket to the match, any tips on where to watch the rugby for great atmosphere?

I believe that there are going to be a few rugby villages where there will be big screens and friendly crowds to enjoy the games. The atmosphere will be amazing and rugby supporters are well known for understanding how to make sure everyone feels welcome!

10. Any tips for flying before a big competition?

My simple tip for flying before a big competition is to relax! British Airways has always looked after us brilliantly well and it's hard enough with all the pressure of the tournament and performing.

The key is to understand that you need to be ready for the first training session, or the first team meeting once you have arrived. There is no point being ready before that, otherwise it is just mismanagement of energy. Enjoy the opportunity to rest and watch a few films because once the World Cup gets going it becomes harder and harder to switch off…or at least it did for me!

11. Looking back on your career, what's your most memorable moment from playing around the world?

I have had many great memories from around the world but flying back from Australia with British Airways after having won the World Cup was a great journey. Knowing that the job was done, that the World Cup belonged to us and that the hard work was over was an incredibly relaxing feeling and a huge relief! The beautiful combination of pride, fulfilment and anticipation of what was waiting for us back home made for a very positive 24 hour journey which seemed more like two hours.

12. The Rugby World Cup is obviously a huge sporting event, what are your top five sporting events around the world? Ie. Wimbledon, Super Bowl, World Series, Olympics?

Other than the Rugby World Cup my top five sporting events would be Wimbledon, The Ashes, The Super League and the NRL Grand Finals, The Super Bowl and of course the Olympic games.

13. You recently climbed Atlas Mountain in Morocco – what other challenges would you like to take on around the world?

I am slowly being drawn into the joys of exploring. I am not sure how many more mountains are left on my list but I can definitely see myself going up a few more soon. I have recently spent five weeks in Thailand broadening my spiritual understandings and this has opened my eyes to other opportunities in places like India. I love the island of Mallorca and really enjoy and appreciate the privilege of heading back to Toulon in the South of France every month to continue coaching with the rugby team.

14. That famous drop goal in the World Cup Final - would it have been any sweeter against another nation or did it mean more to be against Australia?

I think taking on the host nation and reigning world champions at the time, Australia, in their own back yard made for the most intense and climactic final possible.  Taking it to extra time also added a little extra energy and then clinching it in the very last seconds made for a fairy tale ending, for our side anyway! I look back now and think "Well if you are going to do it then why not go all in and do it the hardest way possible." At the time though I would have much preferred it to have been over in normal time. To say it was stressful would be an understatement.

15. Bryan Habana famously raced against our A380 aircraft and won…do you think you could have beaten him?

A very simple answer would be no. I played alongside Bryan Habana for 2 full seasons with Toulon and although we never raced I got the impression that it would have been pretty close up until the starter gun went off and then a little humiliating after that…for me, not him.