Jonny Wilkinson: "Being away from the media spotlight has allowed me to enjoy just playing rugby again"

Toulon flanker and FRC columnist Joe El Abd this week talks to club colleagues Jonny Wilkinson and Tom May about moving to France, the mood in the Toulon camp, the struggles of learning a new language and their forthcoming Top 14 semi-final against Clermont Auvergne.

Leading up to Toulon’s big semi-final at the weekend against Clermont Auvergne I thought I’d ask a few questions to a couple of my team mates Tom May and Jonny Wilkinson on how they are enjoying life in France and their thoughts on the upcoming semi-final.

JEA: So, first how are you enjoying life on the Cote d’Azur and how has your life changed?

TM: To be fair I’ve loved the opportunity to experience life down here. The biggest difference is probably the weather as it allows you to spend a lot more time outside and due to this I think I find myself being a lot more relaxed when I am at home.

JW: Enjoying it hugely - the change in the environment, the culture and the opportunity to start afresh has been great. It’s also been great to learn the way of life of different people, a different region and of course a different language. The biggest changes have probably been learning how to adapt to new players and coaches and new routines that come with that.

JEA: For me moving to France hasn’t been all plain sailing, what difficulties if any have you found on moving over to France?

TM: For one thing it’s not a myth that the French are a lot more laid back. It takes ages for anything to be done, and can be difficult when you first get here.  The language barrier at the start probably didn’t help. However, the biggest challenge is probably for the wives. As a player you have 40 new friends immediately at the club. You therefore have to make sure they are happy or you won’t be... but isn’t that the same everywhere?

JW: Sometimes fitting into new routines means having to accept a change in my comfortable habits which while it can be a good thing can also leave me feeling a bit unsure at times! Understanding the way certain things work such as the health system, cars, garages, insurance etc is tough to begin with but overall I’d agree with Tom that the main difficulty is faced by our other-halves, who don’t have the immediate purpose to their lives that we do over here.

JEA: How have you liked playing in the Top 14?

TM: I’ve enjoyed it, it’s a tough league and it has been nice to play against players you have never played against and at different venues. What I would say however is that the "French flair" everyone talks about is a myth, or it is in the Top 14 anyway! The primary focus is on the set piece with the scrum often taking centre stage.

JW: It’s been a massively enjoyable experience. The rugby is intense and fiercely competitive. The atmospheres around the grounds are each unique and incredibly energetic. Playing against players that you don’t know so well and being further away from the media spotlight has allowed me to return to enjoying just playing rugby again, more like how I remembered it from my younger days.

JEA: Is there anything you miss about the Premiership?

TM: Hmmm I’m struggling here... no not really.

JW: Having spent 13 years in the Premiership I really felt I had a chance to embrace everything and I’m very glad I did. Playing sport with a team full of people you have known for so long is a truly awesome way to earn a living. However making the move when I did has definitely felt right.

JEA: How would you access Toulon’s season to date?

TM: I think we have done slightly better than we thought but with the squad that we have we were always going to be a tough team to beat. I think that showed by us finishing the league with the most wins.

JW: I think the season has been fantastic and what has been most encouraging has been the fact that we have built on each performance and got stronger as the season has gone on.

JEA: And looking forward to Clermont?

TM: Well they have been in this position before so they will go into the game as favourites but it’s a game we are all looking forward to.

JW: Being in the semi finals is an absolute honour but no one wants to finish there. Clermont are an awesome team who have a track record which rightly demands enormous respect.  It will be a huge challenge but ultimately that is why we all play the game.

Well I have to say a big thank you to both Tom and Jonny for their insights on moving to France and the upcoming semi-final against Clermont.

The atmosphere around Toulon has certainly hit fever pitch leading up to the semi-final. As the boys have said Clermont are a great team and its certainly not going to be a game for the faint hearted. There is now only one thing left to do and that’s to get out there on Saturday. I for one can’t wait!

A bientot

Previous columns:
12.04.10 - 'It doesn't get any better than this, and what an advert for rugby'
18.03.10 - 'The possibility of Tana Umaga playing again is an exciting prospect'
01.03.10 - 'Boudjellal is chasing Williams hard, and he usually gets his man'
11.02.10 - Siege mentality will help England, but France are still my favourites
08.12.09 - 'I see the Top 14 play-off race going all the way down the last game'
24.11.09 - 'Gym-monkeys, IPGs and the pain of being sidelined by injury'
04.11.09 - Star turns and the glamour play - how to judge a performance
27.10.09 - Why I relish the role of 'gratteur', and the key to back row success
21.10.09 - 'My brothers think I'm mad when they see all my rugby scars'
07.10.09 - 'I keep telling them Rovigo is not Rome, but they're still excited'
28.09.09 - 'The three-part conundrum of winning away in France'
22.09.09 - 'There's more to Jonny than just kicking'
14.09.09 - Lesson number 1 - 'Pas de melée, pas de victoire' 
08.09.09 - 'The money's good, but so is the weather, the rugby and the crowds'