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Jonny Wilkinson set for Toulon switch

18 May 2009


England star Jonny Wilkinson is expected to be unveiled tonight as Toulon's marquee signing for next season.

Reports in France claim the 2003 World Cup-winning fly-half has agreed a two-year contract with the big-spending southern club, ending his association with Newcastle Falcons that started in 1997.

Wilkinson's deal could be worth a reported 700,000 euros a year, according to the French media.

A press conference will be held tonight, at around 6pm local time, when Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal will reveal his squad for next season.

The likes of Sale pair Sebastien Bruno and Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, Munster prop Tim Ryan, Bristol flanker Joe el Abd, Saracens back-rower Kris Chesney and Cardiff centre Jamie Robinson have already been signed up by Toulon.

Tom May, Wilkinson's colleague at the Falcons, is also believed to have been lured by Boudjellal while Leinster back Felipe Contepomi has agreed a move to Les Varois, although a serious knee injury the Argentina international sustained last month could threaten the deal.

Wilkinson, who has a year left on his contract at Newcastle, should be the stand-out signing, though.

The injury-plagued number 10, who is 30 later this month, has not played since fracturing a kneecap at Gloucester almost eight months ago.

If he is unveiled, he will be the latest England player to swap the Guinness Premiership for the Top 14 next season, following in the footsteps of Riki Flutey, James Haskell, Tom Palmer, Jamie Noon and Iain Balshaw.

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Toulon will regret taking on a has-been who is only fir for 30 pr cent of every rugby season.

- Keith Price, Luton, England, 18/05/2009 15:57
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