Toulon make Wilko bid

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The Newcastle Falcons fly-half has been linked consistently with a move to the Top 14, following England colleagues Riki Flutey, James Haskell and Tom Palmer, and it now seems that formal negotiations have been opened.

Saint-Andre, who is leaving Sale Sharks to join Toulon, told BBC Sport: "Jonny's people are in talks with the Toulon chairman."

He added: "I would obviously like to have as many good players as possible next season and Jonny is a top-quality player.

"I have heard that a couple of other French clubs are in for him and there is also of course the option for him to stay at Newcastle."

BBC also claim that Wilkinson's agent, Tim Buttimore, described talks with Toulon as "ongoing".

French clubs are not under the same financial constraints as Premiership sides and have proved an attractive proposition for out-of-contract players in recent years.

Toulon already have the likes of Jerry Collins, Tana Umaga, Joe van Niekerk and Sonny Bill Williams on their books, thanks to millionaire owner Mourad Boudjellal and are keen to continue their ambitious recruitment drive.

Accepting the club's overtures may yet have an impact on Wilkinson's hopes of an international recall, though, after the Rugby Football Union made their concerns about England players leaving the country following the simultaneous departures of Haskell, Palmer and Flutey from Wasps.

Wilkinson is no longer in the RFU's elite playing squad due to his injury woes but the current party were all contacted by chief executive Francis Baron outlining the potentially harmful effect of abandoning the domestic game.