Wilkinson set to start for Toulon
Thu, 19 Aug 2010 08:46
Match-winner: Toulon's England flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson
England World Cup-winning flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson has declared himself fit for Friday's tough Top 14 clash at Biarritz - a welcome boost after a disappointing opening loss at home to Bayonne last week.
Toulon need all the good news they can get at the moment, as Philippe Saint-André's side have been severely weakened by injuries and face a Biarritz side that won its opening match and has France No.8 Imanol Harinordoquy due to return to action after recovering from a rib injury.
However, Saint-André - who did a superb job in shaking Toulon up after a disappointing debut season in the Top 14 with Tana Umaga by guiding them to the play-offs last term - is not downhearted after the opening defeat and that he will be missing several stars such as captain Joe van Niekerk.
"We've got to move up a gear that's for sure," said Saint-André.
"However, there is no need to panic, we have new players who have just arrived and I think it will take four to five weeks to integrate them properly into the side."
However, Toulon will do well to avoid a second successive defeat as also among the missing are Scotland back Rory Lamont and veteran scrumhalf Pierre Mignoni while experienced Argentinian duo Felipe Contepomi and Juan Fernandez Lobbe are forced to sit it out owing to international rules.
Biarritz, who had a disappointing domestic campaign last term, but reached the European Cup final where they lost to Toulouse, will be without France international prop Fabien Barcella who is out for six months after rupturing an Achilles tendon last weekend in training.
But they will probably start with Zimbabwe-born American international wing Takudzwa Ngwenya, who is back in favour after being punished by the club for a disciplinary offence.
Biarritz backs coach Jack Isaac said that the fact Toulon had been beaten in their opener would make their clash all the harder.
"We always knew it would be a difficult match whatever the circumstances," Isaac told rugby365.fr.
"Now that they have lost at home that only confirms that it is going to be a red hot encounter. We are going to prepare for it with a little bit of fear in our bellies and perhaps that will help us rise to the challenge."
Champions Clermont too will be looking like Toulon to rebound from a first-day defeat - a 21-13 loss to Perpignan the side they defeated to win their first title last season - when they travel to Bourgoin.
Clermont - who to be fair left out several of their French international stars for the Perpignan match - have major doubts over France wing Julien Malzieu and South African centre Marius Joubert but like Saint-André Clermont coach Vern Cotter is playing a patient game.
"We know we have things to put right for the match against Bourgoin," he said.
But that will not be easy to see come right straight away as Bourgoin pose us a real problem."
Perpignan for their part are also away - against Brive - and must be wondering what they have done to upset the rugby gods as they have lost three flyhalves to injury and sickness in a matter of weeks.
This means that there is a huge opportunity for France Under-20 international Gilles Bosch to shine and seize the chance of establishing himself as the first choice by the time the other three are back in business.
Fixtures:
(Kick-offs in GMT)
Friday, August 20:
Bourgoin v Clermont, 16.45
Brive v Perpignan, 17.00
Montpellier v Racing-Metro, 17.00
Agen v Bayonne, 17.00
Stade Francais v La Rochelle, 17.00
Biarritz v Toulon, 19.00
Saturday, August 21:
Castres v Toulouse, 18.45
AFP
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