Wilko, to be continued...

The first performance of Jonny Wilkinson with Toulon marked this reopening weekend of Top 14. Even if he were sometimes approximate, the English fly-half, who had'nt played for months, showed great promises. The best is undoubtedly to come. Anyway, Wilko, loved Mayol.

Beyond the match opening the season, the rendez-vous with Mayol, the arrival of the French Stage, the real event of this Toulon-Paris clash in particular and of this first day in general, was the start of Jonny Wilkinson in Top 14 with Toulon. Despite his recent disappointments,

he has remained the greatest figure of Rugby in the world for this last decade. Everyone wanted to see the hero of World cup 2003, this man who made French Rugby suffer so much, to offer him perhaps so much from now on. On August 14th, Toulon discovered Wilko and Wilko discovered Toulon.

What about his performance ? In his role of kicker, the English star was more than powerful. With 5 successful penalties in 7, plus a drop (in two attempts), at 10 minutes of the end of the match which could have been that of the victory, Wilkinson's good offices rose up the standings. The percentage of successful kicks for Toulon was ridiculous last season ( 44%, by far the worst of all the Top 14). The contribution of Wilkinson in this field thus represents an outstanding bonus for his squad. "I passed 17 points, it's true, but the most important is that we didn't win", he nevertheless regretted.

"The mood was incredible"

Wilkinson has also his share of responsibilities. Impeccable kicker, he was far from being royal in his position of opener, he made many forward passes and some bad choices. "I have many things to assimilate and I know I must do it quickly", he says modestly.

Wilkinson has also his share of responsibilities. Impeccable striker, it will have been a more inconstant organizer. Far from being royal in its costume of opener, it made many forward passes and some bad choice. "I have many things to assimilate and I know that I must do it quickly", he says modestly. He also misused the play to the foot, locking up the RCT in a too foreseeable and stereotyped play. The more so as its candles with repetition only too seldom endangered Parisian defense. "My principal regret, notes Philippe Saint-Andrew, it is that one was not rather ambitious on launchings of play. We did not show large thing and it is damage." "One does not know oneself enough, then one tried to reassure oneself with simple play and a good occupation of the ground", notes Sebastien Bruno, another newcomer.

But not question, obviously, of charging a too great responsibility to the former Master to be played of the XV of the Rose who, let us recall it, had not played any more for six months and had not disputed 80 minutes for almost a year now. "One will not immediately see large Jonny Wilkinson, warns Saint-Andrew besides. Anything should not be asked him. For the moment, one needs that it is good on the bases, it is essence." For a first, and taking into account its misfortunes of the passed season, the exit of Wilkinson can thus be considered to be overall satisfactory. Its first victory, it is also to have held all the match, that of which some did not believe it able. "I felt well physically and it was important for me to play 80 minutes, underlines the British. It is a good thing. I am ready to play, as I had said. I am in good health. For me, the rate/rhythm was not a problem. "

But more still than the result or its own service, which it will retain of its beginnings, it is the exceptional enthusiasm of the public of Mayol. Wilko discovered the volcano. And it in redemande. "It is a super experiment to play here, acknowledges it, him which has however seen of them others with the four corners of the world for more than 10 years. Environment was incredible. At one time, I came to type a penalty and I wondered what occurred in the stage so much there was noise. I hope that still many moments ago like that one." If its body leaves it quiet, and if he manages to digest the repetition of the matches in the weeks to come, there is no reason to think that Jonny Wilkinson cannot become a formidable engine for the RCT