29 Jan 2010

Wilkinson extends Toulon contract by one year

12:36 pm on 29 January 2010

The England international first five eight Jonny Wilkinson has extended his contract with top 14 French side Toulon by one year.

Wilkinson, whose contract was set to expire at the end of the current campaign, arrived at the club last summer from Newcastle, where he had played since making his professional debut in 1997.

The 30-year-old, a World Cup winner in 2003 and finalist four years later, is the leading scorer in the Top 14 with 177 points.

Toulon are currently fourth in the French championship with seven matches remaining and must finish in the top six to qualify for the play-off phase of the season.

Wilkinson has managed to shake off the injury problems that bedeviled him for the latter years of the last decade and has also re-established his claim for a starting berth in the England side.

He is currently in training with England in preparation for the start of the Six Nations tournament on February 6th, the English kicking off with a home game against Wales at Twickenham.