TOULON president Mourad Boudjellal insists the recruitment of injury-prone England star Jonny Wilkinson is a gamble worth taking.
Wilkinson, 30 next week, was one of a host of new signings unveiled on Monday by Toulon, the ambitious, big-spending club from the south of France.
Since dropping the goal that won England the World Cup in 2003, Wilkinson has been plagued by injuries. He has not played since dislocating a kneecap on Newcastle duty at Gloucester last September.
Prior to that, knee ligament injuries, shoulder trouble, damaged ribs and even a blow to his kidney have restricted the fly-half to less than 50 Newcastle starts since that famous drop goal.
Boudjellal knows he has indulged by bringing in Wilkinson but admits he could not resist making him his marquee signing for next season.
“If it doesn’t work out, we’ll put it down to a moment of folly,” said Boudjellal.
“But who hasn’t fantasised about a rugby player like Wilkinson, a great among the greats?”
