Jonny Wilkinson immediately endeared himself to his new employers - and the amassed media - by speaking in French at his first press conference since signing for Toulon.

The World Cup winning England fly-half confidently proclaimed that he felt "fresh" following his extensive rehab - for a dislocated kneecap - and that the move to France had taken 10 years off him.

"I just turned 30, but I feel 20," he told the assembled media at his official unveiling. "My body is fine, the knee is perfect. I'm not stupid. I know the physical demands of playing at the highest level," he added.

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The international record points-scorer wooed his audience by talking in passable French for up 40 minutes, with a Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal looking on a like a proud new dad.

The capture of Wilkinson is huge news here in France and Boudjellal has already admitted that while it may be a risk - given Wilko's injury record - it also make financial sense. His signing alone has brought Toulon to the fore of the global rugby community and Boudjellal now expects to sell "hundreds of thousands" of replica 'rouge et noir' shirts on the back of his stellar buy.

"Jonny is first of all a link in the chain of the team," said Boudjellal. "But it is also about what Jonny can bring for us off the pitch. If he can bring more in image rights, that is a bonus. There are many players who have an amazing image but on the pitch they can't bring you anything. That doesn't interest us."

Wilkinson had clearly done his research - as you would expect - and paid due deference to a couple of former Toulon heroes (Eric Champ and Jerome Gallion), as well as acknowledging the importance of the club's 'Pilou, Pilou' chant.

He was also unfailingly modest and praised the Toulon staff for the manner in which his transfer from Newcastle Falcons had been conducted.

"It has been an easy decision to make as there is everything here - the environment, the staff, the players - to be successful," he said. "I can contribute to the club but I also still have a lot to learn as my goal has always been to improve and win."

Future team-mate Sonny Bill Williams did not form part of Toulon's welcome party because the former Bulldogs rugby league star was back in Australia making his professional boxing debut.

Williams knocked out Gary 'The Baboon' Gurr in the second round of a charity event in Brisbane as part of the 'KO to Drugs' campaign.

Meanwhile, the build up to this weekend's Top 14 play-offs continues with news that Sottish international Simon Taylor is doubtful for Stade Francais' match against Perpignan on Saturday. The Paris club has already lost the services of veteran Argentine scrum-half Agustin Pichot.

Clermont Auvergne's preparations have also been hit by injury with French international winger Julien Malzieu joining former Saracens player Brent Russell on the crock list. Malzieu's misfortune is doubly painful for the France star as he was left out of last yea's play-off final in preference to Fijian winger Napolioni Nalaga.

In other news, French captain Lionel Nallet has been ordered to rest for six weeks before he can resume training. Nallet pulled out of the national team's summer tour to New Zealand and Australia earlier this week, paving the way for Stade Toulousain's Thierry Dusautoir to take over the captain's armband.

France open their tour with two Tests against New Zealand - on June 6th and 13th - and All Blacks star Dan Carter believes they could be tight contests after having spent much of the past season in Perpignan.

"The All Blacks are the pinnacle for a lot of French players," he said. "They love to come up against the All Blacks and always talk about their experiences against them. It's a big occasion and the guys who get the opportunity will really get stuck in."

Carter also said the break from being in New Zealand's goldfish bowl environment had proved hugely beneficial, despite his ruptured Achilles limiting him to just five games for the Catalans.

"The six months have been perfect. Half the reason for coming has been the change in lifestyle, as well as a different rugby competition to test myself up against. Five games in and i get injured. That was extremely tough but I still have the chance of living over here. I know it sounds bad but the only way to get away from the spotlight is an injury like this," he added.

England's opening summer match against the Barbarians on Saturday is generating a fair bit of interest over in France with five Top 14-based players named in the starting XV or on the bench by Martin Johnson - Andy Goode (Brive), Jamie Noon (Brive), Steve Thompson (Brive), James Haskell (Stade Francais) and Tom May (Toulon).

Now the Barbarians have confirmed that Biarritz's Iain Balshaw and departing Toulon player Jerry Collins will also make the starting line-up, while Toulon's Sebastien Bruno is among the subs.

Finally, former Castres coach Alain Gaillard has confirmed that he will not be leaving the game entirely after announcing that he will be assistant to Christophe Lucquiaud at Sporting Club Mazametaine in Federale 1 next season.