Rugby union Mike Averis and Ian Moriarty
While Newcastle Falcons wait for news of Jonny Wilkinson's putative move to Toulon this summer one of the stars of their resurgence this season has slipped from their grasp.
The 27-year-old Phil Dowson, club captain and captain of England's second string, the Saxons, too, will be a Northampton player next season while Wilkinson's signature on a move to the south of France is said to be imminent. Wilkinson's agent in France is still saying that "it's necessary to know how to be patient" but it is understood that only a few minor details remain to be ironed out on a two-year deal said to be worth €700,000 a season. The deal is also said to have a get-out clause on Wilkinson's side and provides the player with a villa and pool with views over the Mediterranean.
However, the big hurdle that the negotiators cannot fix is whether Toulon will be in the top tier of French rugby next season. They are currently one above the drop zone, eight points clear of Dax and 13 above Mont de Marsan in the relegation positions. Toulon's owner, Mourad Boudjellal, had hoped to announce Wilkinson's move this weekend, before the home game against the Top 14 leaders and French champions, Toulouse, but at least one more victory is necessary for safety.
On the Toulon side there appears to be little open concern at the length of Wilkinson's recuperation, which has effectively ended any chance the fly-half had of touring with the Lions this summer. He has not played since dislocating his knee last September and the Newcastle director of rugby, Steve Bates, does not expect him to figure in their final two Guinness Premiership matches. "We haven't been able to get him to do a full week's training and that has to be the minimum before we think about putting him on the field," said Bates.
"If I was the Lions coach, I'd be very concerned about that lack of rugby. He's a class player and you've got to take that into consideration, but the poor guy hasn't played since September. It would be tough then to ask him to go and play against the South Africans in full flow."
Even without Wilkinson Newcastle have moved from relegation candidates to an outside bet for a Heineken Cupplace in the past two months but their prospects for next season took a dip yesterday when Dowson announced he was off to , continuing the trend of the cream leaving the FalconsLast season Mathew Tait joined Sale, Toby Flood moved to Leicester and scum half Lee Dickson paved Dowson's path to the Midlands and a re-union with Jim Mallinder. Northampton's director of rugby worked with Dowson when he took charge of the Saxons for the 2007 Churchill Cup.
Northampton. "I'd heard nothing but positive things about the Saints," said the back-row. "Phil is an exciting signing," said Saints director of rugby, Jim Mallinder in reply. "We want leaders at the club who will represent us well on and off the field and Phil is one such man."
