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Jonny Wilkinson: Decision time
Photo: Michael Paler |
Leinster’s Argentine
fly-half Felipe Contepomi has signed a four-year deal with Toulon, with
England’s Jonny Wilkinson apparently poised to join him.
The absence of a
reliable goal-kicker has proved costly all season for the Top 14 strugglers,
but incoming coach Philippe Saint-Andre appears intent on addressing that
situation by signing two of the very best in the business.
Contepomi finally
confirmed his move after weeks of speculation, but said it had not been easy
to leave the Emerald Isle.
“This is one of the
hardest decisions that I have ever had to make in my career,” he admitted.
“I spoke with my family about it at length, but I feel that the end of this
season is the best time to make a new start.
“I have played some of
the best years of my career with Leinster. They are the team that I have
also played with the longest in my career.”
Contepomi, who has
scored more than 1,000 points for Leinster since joining in 2003, said he
would always treasure his time spent in Ireland.
“I feel a strong link
with Leinster because I have been blessed an Irish daughter (Catalina) and
with people who supported my ambition to complete my medical studies.
“The supporters will
always hold a special place in my heart for the way in which they have
treated me and my family,” he said.
Leinster coach Michael
Cheika also said he would be sorry to see Contepomi leave and praised his
commitment and contribution to the club.
“Felipe has been an
unbelievable asset to the club and he’s going to be sadly missed. He has
been a great support for us at all levels and played an important role in
the transition of the club into a strong professional organisation,” said
Cheika.
Contepomi’s summer
arrival in Toulon continues the extensive squad strengthening currently
being overseen by Saint-Andre, and it now seems increasingly likely that
England fly-half Wilkinson could also be joining.
The international
record points-scorer, who is currently on the comeback trail after a
dislocated kneecap, is said to be “seriously considering” a move to France
according to The Times – the newspaper for which he writes.
The 29-year-old, who
speaks French, has been tipped for a cross-Channel move all season with
Bayonne, Toulon and Pro D2 leaders Racing Metro all thought to be in the
running to secure his signature.
The Times
reported that Wilkinson – who has been with the Newcastle Falcons for 12
years – is now favouring Toulon as his preferred destination, with his
advisers due to meet club representatives next week.
It claimed that
Wilkinson himself will be in Toulon this weekend for discussions with club
president Mourad Boudjellal, and that the England fly-half also plans talks
with national manager Martin Johnson. The paper further added “reports of a
move to Racing Metro in Paris are wide of the mark”.
Elsewhere, nine
Stade Toulousain players have been named in the French Barbarians
side to take on the President’s XV on March 22.
Indeed, the entire
match has a strong Toulousain flavour to it with head coach Guy Noves in
charge of the Barbarians, and the game itself taking place at the Ernest
Wallon Stadium.
Vern Cotter, Clermont
Auvergne’s New Zealand coach, is in charge of the President’s XV, which is
due to feature the likes of Perpignan’s Perry Freshwater, Brive’s Damien
Browne, Clermont’s Napolioni Nalaga and the Toulon duo of Joe Van Niekerk
and Ross Skeate.
French Barbarians
Forwards:
Jean-Baptiste Poux (Stade Toulousain), Julien Brugnaut (Dax), Luc Ducalcon
(Castres), William Servat (Stade Toulousain), Benoit August (Biarritz), Loic
Jacquet (Clermont), Yoann Maestri (Toulon), Fabien Pelous (Stade
Toulousain), Rémy Martin (Bayonne), Grégory Lamboley (Stade Toulousain),
Yannick Nyanga (Stade Toulousain), Elvis Vermeulen (Clermont)
Backs:
Dimitri Yachvili (Biarritz), Lucas Borges (ARG / Dax), Frédéric Michalak
(Stade Toulousain), David Skrela (Stade Toulousain), Maxime Mermoz
(Perpignan), Yann David (Bourgoin), Vincent Clerc (Stade Toulousain),
Aurélien Rougerie (Clermont), Nicolas Jeanjean (Stade Français), Clement
Poitrenaud (Stade Toulousain)
The President's XV
Forwards: Rodrigo Roncero (ARG / Stade Français), Martin Scelzo (ARG /
Clermont), Benjamin Sa (NZL / Montauban), Perry Freshwater (ENG /
Perpignan), Damien Browne (ENG / Brive), Mario Ledesma (ARG / Clermont),
Marius Tincu (ROM / Perpignan), Ross Skeate (RSA / Toulon), Gerrie Britz
(RSA / Perpignan), Joe van Niekerk (RSA / Toulon), Gerhard Vosloo (Brive),
Chris Masoe (NZL / Castres), Shaun Sowerby (RSA / Stade Toulousain)
Backs:
Noel Oelschig (RSA / Stade Français), Kevin Senio (SAM / Castres), James
Brock (AUS / Clermont), Cameron McIntyre (NZL / Castres), Mark Gasnier (AUS
/ Stade Français), Maleli Kunavore (IFJ / Stade Toulousain), Napolioni
Nalaga (IFJ / Clermont) Takudzwa Ngwenya (USA / Biarritz), Craig Gower (AUS
/ Bayonne), Brent Russell (RSA / Clermont)
