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Faithful City
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Posted: Monday Sep 1st, 2008 17:47 |
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French club Toulon target Jonny Wilkinson
Big-spending French club Toulon are reported to be targeting England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson as they seek to add to their burgeoning all-star squad.
By Colin Spiro
Last Updated: 4:57PM BST 01 Sep 2008
France bound? Jonny Wilkinson is apparently on Toulon's hit list Photo: Getty Images
The south-west club have already caused waves with their controversial capture of rugby league star Sonny 'Bill' Williams and president Mourad Boudjellal now looks set to splash the cash again with both Wilkinson, the international record points scorer, and South African half-back Ruan Pienaar reportedly on their hit list.
According to The Times, Wilkinson, who has been having French lessons, is being targeted after a stuttering start to the new Top 14 season by current fly-halves Sebastien Fauque and Ramiro Pez.
Toulon began the season with a surprise home win against Clermont, last year's championship runners-up, but failed to overcome Brive in a dour 3-3 home draw on a Saturday - a match that went pointless for 72 minutes in searing heat after both sides exchanged penalties in the opening eight minutes.
Boudjellal, who made his fortune in the comic book industry, was quoted as saying: "I know another French club made a big offer for Wilkinson and, if he was available, I would be interested."
He also added, rather cryptically: "We tried to get a big player from England, but he was always injured."
Wilkinson has seldom tasted success in his club career with Newcastle Falcons but has remained staunchly a one-club man and signed a new two-year contract in January, .
Despite this, Toulon coach Tana Umaga, the former All Blacks captain, appeared to echo his president's views: "It's possible to see someone like Wilkinson ending up in Toulon. It's a working-class town, a tough town, but Mourad has done wonderful things for it."
Toulon won promotion to the Top 14 last season and tried to sign Kiwi star Dan Carter, but lost out to rivals Perpignan. However, their ambition is clear by the subsequent signings of fellow All Black Jerry Collins, South African Joe van Niekerk and the Australian rugby league stars Luke Rooney and Williams.
Well I would not blame him if he wants to compete in Europe because I cannot see Falcons in the HC for at least 2/3 seasons.
If he does go that will certainly consign them (Falcons) to the basement.
JP
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