Recalled England fly-half Wilkinson had not played since dislocating his knee in October, but played the entire first-half as Toulon opened their pre-season friendlies with a victory.

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The match drew an impressive 10,000 crowd to Toulon’s Stade Felix Mayol and the home crowd celebrated the occasion by chanting “Wilko, Wilko” throughout.

The 30-year-old responded by putting in some trademark tackles, handling with efficiency and kicking both penalty opportunities he was afforded – in the 12^th and 39^th minutes.

“I am very happy to be playing rugby again,” Wilkinson said afterwards. “Physically I feel fine, even if I was missing a little of my rhythm. Before the match I didn’t know what my feelings would be, but once I got into the action I knew what to do,” he added.

He admitted that it was “pre-decided” he would only play the opening half – before making way for South African Conrad Barnard – but added: “It was a case of ‘see how it goes’. But it was great to be back, and playing here is a great way to do it.

“There was a lot of defending, a lot of tackling and discovering where we are at. I improved with every minute,” said the international record points-scorer.

According to The Guardian this was Wilkinson’s 17^th playing comeback after a series of career-threatening injuries, but he was clearly delighted with how it went.

“It’s a brand new start, a new experience and a big step for me, but I’m enjoying every facet of the change. It’s all part of a brand new decision for me; how to get going again,” he said.

“I haven’t been part of that rugby atmosphere for a long time and going into the game I didn’t know what to expect,” he admitted.

He certainly seems to be thriving on the change of location, undoubtedly helped by the recent scorching weather that has been bathing the southern coast in virtually unbroken sunshine.

Fellow British signings Kris Chesney and Jamie Robinson also made last night’s starting line-up as new head coach Philippe Saint-Andre began his tenure at Toulon.

The cash-rich club open their Top 14 campaign with a home match against glamour side Stade Francais on August 14.

Elsewhere, ECC finalists Bourgoin began their pre-season campaign with an encouraging 20-12 win over Australia’s touring Brumbies at the Stade Pierre Rajon.

The home side were outscored two tries to one but capitalised on a series of kickable penalties to earn the victory.

It might have been different had Brumbies fly-half Matt Toomua landed an easy penalty attempt of his own with six minutes left – which would have given the visitors a 14-15 lead – but his miss proved costly with Bourgoin subsequently converting a brace of their own (from new Argentine signing Alberto Di Bernardo) to squeeze the win.

The Brumbies were further hampered by a series of blood injuries, with three players off the field for treatment simultaneously at one point.

Bourgoin lead 3-0 after 20 minutes thanks to Benjamin Boyet's early penalty, before both sides scored tries in rapid succession. The Brumbies went over first with Andrew Smith scoring in the corner, but Bourgoin responded positively through winger Jean François Coux's try to take an 8-7 lead at the break.

Two penalties from Di Bernardo (in the 51st and 61st minutes) extended that advantage after the interval before replacement lock Sitaleki Timani’s try reduced the arrears to just two points.