JONNY WILKINSON IS set to return to the starting line-up for holders Toulon in Sunday’s European Cup quarter-final tie against three-time winners Leinster, sources close to the French club said Monday.
The 34-year-old — a pivotal member of the side that won last year’s European Cup — was rested for the Top 14 match against Clermont on 21 March, and had to pull out of last Saturday’s game with Toulouse because of a thigh problem.
His return will likely see mercurially gifted French fly-half Frederic Michalak demoted to the bench after two impressive displays.
Wilkinson’s return will boost a Toulon side that has injury concerns over several other key players including World Cup winning second row duo Ali Williams and Bakkies Botha.
Williams, who was a member of the All Blacks side that won the 2011 World Cup at home in New Zealand, has an arm injury while Botha, who won the 2007 World Cup with South Africa, will definitely miss the game as he has a broken arm.
However flanker Chris Masoe, another former All Black, is set to return to training for the first time since he ruptured knee ligaments in December.
