Wilkinson relishing new challenge

Fit-again Jonny Wilkinson is ready to release the handbrake and take his career to new heights as he heads into his first taste of competitive French club rugby on Friday night.

The fly-half, who kicked England to World Cup glory in 2003, claims he has been holding himself back so far in his career but his move to Toulon, who face Stade Francais in the Top 14 curtain-raiser, has clearly given him a new lease of life.

"I feel I have spent my life playing it safe, not allowing the unknown and operating between six and eight or nine out of 10," Wilkinson said. "If I operate between six and eight I will always be okay because sometimes when you push for 10, you open up the door to drop to a four. But I don't want to finish my career and say, 'I did okay, I operated within myself and well done me' - now I want to push for 10."

Former Newcastle number 10 Wilkinson, Test rugby's leading points scorer, is keen to show a new side to himself after six years of injury hell since his World Cup heroics in Australia.

"I stood at the bottom of the mountain and played some fabulous rugby," he added.

"But when you are halfway up you start looking at the top, which looks great, but you also look down and part of you thinks that staying here is not a bad idea.

"This change is what I have been waiting for."