A real revival for Wilkinson

Ten months after beeing sidelined, Jonny Wilkinson returns to the pitch at the time of the friendly match between Toulon and Brive Friday evening. Newcastle fly-half played one half-time and his team won 9-3. At the exit of lock-rooms, he was merely happy.

Ten months after your last appearance on the field facing Gloucester, have you got the jitters before this match against Brive?

Jonny WILKINSON : Not really. I was not very thrilled even if it were my first match for Toulon. From the first to the last minute, I tried to do my better. Of course, all was far from being perfect. But it was like a beginning for me. I enjoyed each minute spent on the pitch. It was somewhat a rebirth, a second life for me. I had reached the end of my path in England. As I came to Toulon I intended to keep on learning and to have fun as much as possible . I must confess that is was a real treat for me with this sun and all this noise in the stands.

How do you feel? What do you think of your half-time disputed against Brive?

J.W : Once I was in the action, I felt I was able to play and that I was rather well physically. But I found that I still lacked for speed. I made several mistakes, it's obvious that I need to play to improve

Toulon struggled hard to win over Brive. What did you think about this encounter?

J.W : Yes, it is true that it was rather harsh for us. We were stripped of balls and we had trouble following on. But we carried the day thanks to a rigorous discipline and a good defence. Our great solidarity enabled us to get the upper hand. We must improve very quickly because we've very little time before the beginning of the season.

Did you think of your injured knee for a moment before this match?

J.W : Not at all. We had a harsh training two weeks ago. I protected the ball in a ruck while waiting someone to clean up. I remember my injury for a short while because the last time I had been wounded it was under similar conditions. I wondered whether I had really to be there. For an instant I was petrified and completely lost. Then I thought my wound was only due to bad luck .

We saw you communicating with your team-mates. What did you tell them?

J.W : I tried to encourage them as much as I could, and told them that we must stand together. As a fly-haf, my role is to obtain the best from each one of my team-mates. It is what I did already when I played for England. We have got a very talented group.

The star Jonny Wilkinson was introduced to the Toulon supporters this Wednesday. In a perfect French, the fly-half evoked his ambitions with its new club and assured being in great form, in spite of the wounds which have held him far away from the pitch for several months.

What did push you to leave Newcastle to join Toulon?

J.W : I made this decision above all for Rugby, to play the best I can and keep on progressing. It is also a fantastic opportunity to start my career again. I have still many things to learn and I want to give a help to my team-mates There are players in Toulon that I hold in respect and I like the way the French are playing. I want to complete my career in a high note. I am thirty years old but I have still a few beautiful years of Rugby to live.

Why did you choose Toulon against other clubs?

J.W : Toulon has much history and many great players such Eric Champ or Jerome Gallion I watched on television.This club also has got a forwards culture and I would like to be the link between forwards and back row. I also wish to bring something to young players. In my career, I was likely to receive advice from Rob Andrew, Va' aiga Tuigamala or Gary Armstrong and if I hadn't had their support, my history would have been different perhaps.

How do you feel physically?

J.W : I feel like a twenty year old young man! I underwent medical examinations yesterday and today all is ok. I have trained myself for seven months without playing, so I come back in full form. I need to play matches, but in my head I am completely revived. I am a new man.

With what goals did you sign with Toulon?

J.W : To win all the matches of the season and if we manage to do that, then we will be champions of France. From Newcastle, I often looked at several matches of the RCT and I still did not understand why this team was not classified better. With Tana Umaga, the Sony Bill Williams, the power of the forwards and the contribution of new players such as Fernandez-Lobbe, it is a fantastic squad. My ambition is identical to that of the club: becoming champion of France.

At the time of your first arrival in Toulon, on March 14th for the match facing Perpignan, were you surprised at the passion of the public of Toulon?

J.W : Coming to Mayol was a great experiment. I played several World cups, took part in tournaments with the British Lions. I thought I had seen worse, but their particular mood for a match in championship is something I'd never tried out. I didn't think it was possible. With such an osmosis, matched with our efforts and our energies, I am convinced we can do much harm !