The 24-year-old, who impressed while deputising for Andrew Mehrtens against SCA Albi last week, confessed Wilko had been his inspiration while growing up.

“He’s my idol,” he told L’Equipe. “Beyond just his performances and his name, I especially admire his thoroughness and his competitive spirit. I’ve watched videos of him and read lots of things about him,” said the former Castres and Stade Toulousain player.

Wisniewski even admitted to taking a video camera to the Perpignan v Newcastle Falcons match in January 2005 for the sole purpose of recording Wilkinson’s every move. He is likely to start again at the Stade Mayol this afternoon – which is again sold out - as Mehrtens continues on paternity leave.

Meanwhile, Toulon scrum-half Pierre Mignoni, 32, is hoping to be back in action for next week’s trip to SCA Albi. The former France international will miss the clash with Racing-Métro after being forced off against Stade Francais with a damaged left thigh. An MRI scan confirmed there was no tear on Thursday, clearing the way for him to return to training next week.

Former Leicester Tigers player Ayoola Erinle will make his Biarritz debut today after being named as outside centre against SCA Albi. Erinle will be joined in the starting XV by fellow English summer signing Iain Balshaw (on the wing) as Biarritz named an attacking looking line-up to take on the Top 14 newcomers. American speedster Takudzwa Ngwenya joins Balshaw out wide with Damien Traille at inside centre and Julien Peyrelongue at fly-half as ‘Les Biarrots’ appear to be targeting a possible attacking bonus.

Stade Toulousain have named Jean-Baptiste Elissalde as their starting fly-half against early leaders Brive, with Clément Poitrenaud moving from full-back to inside centre to accommodate the return of Maxime Médard. Yann David retains his place at outside centre with Cédric Heymans and Vincent Clerc on the wings.

Stade Francais winger Ollie Phillips admitted he was “doing cartwheels” after Rugby Sevens was shortlisted to become an Olympic event. Phillips captained England’s sevens team with distinction last season and was subsequently voted the IRB’s International Sevens Player of the Year.

Meanwhile, former Perpignan lock Nathan Hines, 32, claims he left the club for Leinster in the summer because he feared being frozen out after opting to miss the play-off finals in preference for the British and Irish Lions tour.

The Scottish international told The Scotsman he made up his decision while on tour, with team-mate Brian O’Driscoll being instrumental in his switch.

“Perpignan were not keen on me leaving them to go with the Lions, but I was never going to turn down that opportunity, so I knew they wouldn’t be too happy with me when I went back.

“Then, I watched how they treated Cus [Chris Cusiter] after he had decided to join Glasgow. They didn’t play him and that ruined any chance he might have had of going with the Lions, so when Brian [O’Driscoll] asked me what would happen when I got back, I said I feared I would be at Perpignan next season but possibly not playing,” said Hines.

O’Driscoll then alerted his club Leinster about Hines’ potential availability, setting in motion the close-season transfer which culminated in the Scot signing a two-year deal with the Heineken Cup champions.