Wilkinson set for Thomond mission

TOULON’S England international fly half Jonny Wilkinson has been included by coach Philippe Saint André in a group of 23 players to travel to Limerick for Saturday’s Heineken Cup showdown with Munster.

The 30-year-old World Cup-winning star has been included in a strong squad alongside All Black prop Carl Hayman, Argentine Felipe Contepomi and Springbok Joe Van Niekerk.

Wilkinson starred in last weekend’s opening Heineken Cup victory against the Ospreys at Stade Felix Mayol. Yet coach Philippe Saint André claimed after the game that Wilkinson would be rested for the trip to Limerick and be replaced by former Leinster fly-half Felipe Contepomi.

Newspaper reports in Provence have suggested the Argentine who will get the nod for the number 10 shirt, with Wilkinson on the bench. Former Clermont Auvergne and French international Pierre Mignoni is expected to replace Australian Matt Henjak at scrum-half.

TOULON SQUAD (vs Munster): F Auelua, T Brana, S Bruno, K Chesney, F Contepomi, J El Abd, L Emmanuelli, J-P Genevois, C Hayman, M Ivaldi, M Kefu, D Kubriashvili, G Lovobalavu, L Magnaval, C Marienval, P Mignoni, O Missoup, P Sackey, D Schofield, G Smith, J Suta, S Taumoepeau, J Van Niekerk, J Wilkinson, R Wulf.