Rugby videos of tackles, tries, funny incidents and more: Jonny Wilkinson raring to go for Toulon and England

Friday, August 14, 2009

Jonny Wilkinson raring to go for Toulon and England

The great man is back. Tonight, Jonny Wilkinson will confidently stride out for his new club Toulon in the French Top 14 as they take on Stade Francais in the opening match of the new season.

Wilkinson, now 30, has had a large part of his career wiped out due to a string of bad injuries. He’s back now though, and with his new club comes a new lease on life.

Wilko feels he’s yet to reach his true potential, and is hoping that this is the season that he’ll achieve the heights he feels he’s capable of.

"I feel I have spent my life playing it safe, not allowing the unknown," said Wilkinson.

"If I operate between six and eight I will always be okay because sometimes when you push for 10, you open up the door to drop to a four.

"But I don't want to finish my career and say, 'I did okay, I operated within myself and well done me' - now I want to push for 10."

Back in the mix with his national side, Wilkinson spent the past few days with the England training camp, and hopes to be a part of the November internationals that will truly signal the return of one of the best flyhalf’s of the modern era.

Two questions need to be answered before that can happen though. Will Jonny stay injury free for the entire season? And will he reach the kind of form that makes him the best once again?

Time will tell.

Time: 07:15
Note: Toulon play Stade Francais tonight (Friday) at 1945 local time.

f to the i to the r to sssst

bit of a sunny boy nowadays :)
hope he gets back into it properly, if his team doesnt deliver the mood will change

By Anonymous, at August 14, 2009 9:36 am
YAY, first comment!1

and yes Jonny will be the best fly half EVER once again!! Welcome back jonny!

By Anonymous, at August 14, 2009 9:36 am
Nice Tan

By Beano, at August 14, 2009 10:05 am
needs to stay injury free.if he does that, may come back to best.age not on his side tho.....

By Anonymous, at August 14, 2009 10:09 am
Nice tan..

He seems to be pretty shape
Stade français match will be the test, be sure that leguizamon, parisse and co won't be tender with him

By Flooz, at August 14, 2009 10:41 am
age not on his side but still see him play world cup in 2 years wheter he is injury free or not!!

just an off question....what those everybody think of flood as an out-half??

By creggs08, at August 14, 2009 10:41 am
flooz,
parisse is cannot play cos hes under a ban

pilou pilou !!!

parce que toulon rouge
parce que toulon noir
parce que toulon rouge et noir
aller aller, aller aller, aller aller le RCT !!!

By luxi, at August 14, 2009 12:27 pm
We get this one live here in argentina (something unusual believe me...) really looking forward to it i hope he get back to his best should give england the boost it needs

By Anonymous, at August 14, 2009 1:42 pm
Jonny's back!! you're all dead!!

By Anonymous, at August 14, 2009 1:44 pm
When he is at his best he is easily the best outhalf in the world.....No outhalf can kick penalties/conversions, dropgoals, make hard tackles and win a game single handedly like he can/could....

However I highly doubt he will ever be back to that form again but he can still probable be a very good player and by god England need him big time....

By themull, at August 14, 2009 2:51 pm
Johnny's the best!!! One of the very few men that i would give head to....

By Inside Shoulder, at August 14, 2009 3:15 pm
Isn't he a Buddhist Zen Master now or something. I know he spent alot of his off time (and there was plenty of that) trying to become a Maths genius, or something to that effect. He's also an accomplished musician now aswell, having never played prior to the 03 WC.

Just goes to show how commited he is, and what he can achieve when he goes and does something.

Its been mentioned before, but when Contepomi returns from injury Toulon will have a formidable backline, whether money buys you success or we're gonna find out this season.

By Huh!! the 3rd, at August 14, 2009 3:27 pm
i give "sicknote" another 3 games back!,then its "miss can i excused"lol

By Anonymous, at August 14, 2009 4:04 pm
Yeah, world cup quarter, semi and final and then yes Jonny you may be excused!!

By Anonymous, at August 14, 2009 4:56 pm
England needs much more than Jonny!!!

Desperate times calls for desperate measures...

By Jot, at August 14, 2009 6:15 pm
Class act when hes fit but i dont think he'll change england on his own.
I'd love to see
10-Wilkinson
12-Flutey
13-Tait
Highly doubtful though

By WelshOsprey, at August 14, 2009 6:28 pm
Not sure I agree Inside Shoulder but It gave me a laugh all the same.

I know am pulling for Wilko, not many have matched his passion for the game over the years but still been able to keep it in perspective.

By Canadian Content, at August 14, 2009 8:47 pm
Holy shit! Leguizamón against Fernández Lobbe, Beauxis vs. Wilko, this HAS TO BE a hell of a match

By Anonymous, at August 14, 2009 9:39 pm
He's rather philosophical these days isn't he?

His journey is mental and spiritual now apparently - the by product is he seems a little less intense and laid back (no bad thing).

Wish him good luck (reluctantly) as a Scot. He always has been a model professional and sets a high personal standard both on and off the field (something that the Cares/Ciprianis of this world would do well to note).

By Ally, at August 15, 2009 12:58 am
This guy was never better than Giteau is right now (from a South African).

Was really good, but doubt he can still play at the same level.

All the best to him though - always been a real gent.

By Anonymous, at August 15, 2009 10:09 am
Dan Carter is the best fly half in the world. No doubt about it. If you dont believe me, watch the next tri nations game.

By beebar, at August 15, 2009 10:57 am
that was a good match and the winner is....nobody!!!!
the final score is 22-22.
one try by leguizamone and converted by oelshig.3 penalties and two drop goals by oelshig.

one try by tom sourice for toulon and converted by wilkinson.
4 penalties and one drop goal by wilkinson.

By Anonymous, at August 15, 2009 11:01 am
He looked a bit rusty but solid, hopefully he'll stay fit.
beebar says "Dan carter is the best flyhalf in the world"
Based on what? hes been injured for months and was terrible at perpignian

By Anonymous, at August 15, 2009 8:54 pm
@anonymous....dude , do you watch rugby at all.... carter has been one of the best fly halves since the lions toured new zealand in 2005.. i disagree that he was rubish in france... and yes he has been injured for six months but has always been one of the best up until the injury. now he is back from injury , has played 3 games for cantabry and was back to his usual class . You want proof? as i said watch the next tri nations game , he is in the squad.

By beebar, at August 16, 2009 9:46 pm
Just remember this.... Wilko is the highest points scorer in world rugby and he has been owt the England squad for nearly 6 years. The guy who sed Wilkinson was never better thn giteau is now, is stupid.

By Oooooooh Gravy, at September 02, 2009 12:29 am