Wilkinson could miss Munster clash

Jonny Wilkinson has admitted he is unsure if he will be able to line out against Munster in the Heineken Cup semi-final in Marseille on April 27.

The former England World Cup winning out-half has been the inspiration behind Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal’s side’s rise to the top of European rugby. However, after risking it by playing the Leinster game on Sunday with a hamstring injury, he pulled up with a recurrence of the original problem in the first-half.

“I’ve had this for the past two weeks and felt it immediately when I went to kick in the 28th minute,” he said.

“I’ll take it day-by-day and hour-by-hour as I would love to play Munster.”

The game against Leinster was billed as a meeting between Wilkinson and Brian O’Driscoll. The Englishman is expected to follow O’Driscoll into retirement at the end of the season. Boudjellal felt too much attention had been given to the Irish player and Wilkinson deserved more recognition.

“We took some chances with Wilkinson. Was that his last game at Mayol? I don’t know and I wouldn’t tell you anyway. Life will becomplicated without him.

“He has brought magic to this club. We had the [Tana] Umaga years and the Wilkinson era. I don’t know who will be next. Those sort of guys are few and far between.

“There was talk of O’Driscoll before game but there is one difference. One has won the World Cup and one didn’t and that makes a difference. I hope when Wilkinson is mentioned in future in the past tense that he will be recognised for his worth, which is colossal.”

Wilkinson, however, remained magnanimous about his former Lions team-mate.

“It’s a sad moment for the sport, but I also respect his decision as he leaves at the top,” he said.