[5] He represented the university in the twenty-five-mile bicycle race against Oxford in 1879,[2] won his "blue" at rugby football in each of the years from 1877 to 1880, and at cricket in 1880 and 1881.
[2][6][5] Wilson came to note as a rugby player when he was selected for the Cambridge University team whilst studying at Trinity.
He won four sporting Blues in rugby, playing in The Varsity Match from 1877 to 1880, and was made team captain in the 1880 encounter.
He made his solitary international appearance for England in their first match against Wales played on 19 February 1881 at Richardson's Field in Blackheath.
[10] This brought him to the attention of the England selectors, who picked him for the inaugural season Home International Championship match against Scotland on 15 March 1884.
[11] Despite the defeat, Wilson retained his place for the next match against Wales on 17 March, which England won comfortably 4–0, including two goals from William Bromley-Davenport.