Guinness Prem - Wilkinson serious about move

Eurosport - Fri, 13 Mar 19:12:00 2009

Jonny Wilkinson is "seriously considering" moving to France, according to reports linking him with a move to French Top 14 club Toulon.

Jonny Wilkinson - Newcastle - 0

The 29-year-old has been at current club Newcastle Falcons for 12 years, but according to a report in The Times - the paper for whom he writes a column - Wilkinson and his advisers are travelling to Toulon in the next few days to see if the move would suit the fly-half.

Wilkinson - who speaks fluent French - will reportedly meet Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal, the multi-millionaire whose funding has helped Toulon return to the French top division.

It is also thought that he will also speak to Martin Johnson to see if the move might impact upon his chances of a return to the England squad - though it seems unlikely that the England coach would overlook his former World Cup-winning team-mate, should he finally shake off the string of injuries that have blighted his career.

Wilkinson makes yet another return from injury this weekend - this time from a dislocated knee - as he lines up for the in-form Falcons as they take on Bath in a Guinness Premiership clash at the Recreation Ground.

As well as Toulon several other French clubs - including Bayonne - are said to be interested in signing the fly-half.

If Wilkinson were to agree to a move - and if he should pass what would presumably be an extraordinarily thorough medical - he would become the fourth high-profile player to sign for a French club for next season, following the recent decisions by James Haskell, Riki Flutey and Tom Palmer to head across the channel next season.

Toby Keel / Eurosport

Comment 1 - 12 of 12

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  1. give sick note a few months and he will be injurd agian­ so he want be going anyware
    he`s just that unlucky.

    From alan, on Sat 14 Mar 2:10AM

  2. Koppite 1973

    Johnny Wilkinson 'not a­ success'?

    Right........

    From Donald D, on Fri 13 Mar 1:32PM

  3. He's done his bit for Newcastle - nobody can accuse­ him of not being loyal on that front. Also, with all­ the top England players emigrating to France next year,­ it might just be a competetive league over there.­ He's still head and shoulders above anything else­ England have to offer at Fly-Half when fit. The ideal­ England captain if he can find his form.

    From Donald D, on Fri 13 Mar 1:29PM

  4. ....a la Beckham, going to Real. LA­ Blue-Square-equivalent and now Milano.

    From Oxonman, on Fri 13 Mar 1:25PM
  5. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    The canny Frogs know he can't play rugby, so­ presumably it's a marketing thing...

    From Oxonman, on Fri 13 Mar 1:22PM

  6. What a comment to make Koppite 1973, his injuries are­ due ti playing rugby for England and­ Newcastle....I'm sure i's not something he­ planned or even wanted to happen. he is the best and­ always will be.....

    From chilledout47, on Fri 13 Mar 1:07PM

  7. Good move for Johnny. He deserves to make a few quid­ after busting his arse for Newcastle and England.

    From BigRich, on Fri 13 Mar 12:05PM
  8. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Well done Newcastle, off-load the one player who hasnt­ fullfilled his career playing for you yet, he has been­ injured way too often to be considered a success

    From Koppite 1973, on Fri 13 Mar 12:01PM
  9. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    A has been trying to maximize the money before­ retiring. No pride..

    From Half A Brain, on Fri 13 Mar 10:33AM

  10. i doubt he wil sign for them since they just signed­ felipe contepomi on a four year deal....

    From smalltalkie, on Fri 13 Mar 10:27AM
  11. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    As much as I hate to say it Wilkinson's England­ days are over. If Johnson does not overlook him then­ England are proving the critics right in going back and­ not forward.

    From quoling, on Fri 13 Mar 10:10AM
  12. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    A good move for the Falcons...Wilkinson has been an­ expensive drain on resources over the past 3 years and­ it was the fact that he was still around that probably­ influenced Toby Floood to leave!

    From roker67, on Fri 13 Mar 9:42AM
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