‘Jonny Wilkinson's a winner but we’ll stop him’

Wilkinson’s kicking make Toulon a formidable side — although some people think there should be even more to his game — and tomorrow he comes up against Clermont Auvergne in Dublin.

It’s a big challenge for Clermont but their assistant coach King, who won the Cup twice as a player with London Wasps, is confident his team can take the trophy for the first time.

Wilkinson is one reason why King was restricted to just five England caps but having studied his former playing rival closely, he is backing Clermont’s No10 Brock James to nullify the threat.

“I have watched a lot of videos recently of Jonny and he is a lot more than just a kicker,” said King, who is heading back to England next season as the Northampton backs coach.

“Firstly, he is a match winner because he is going to kick 90 per cent of his attempts, plus those drop goals. He is really enjoying his rugby and we are expecting a lot from him.

“Jonny is playing with better players than at Newcastle. At Toulon he has world-class talent around him, including Matt Giteau at inside-centre, and that allows Jonny to play his game. Matt takes the pressure off Jonny by making decisions and also kicking. They are a fantastic combination.

“Jonny has a huge amount of experience and is a proven match winner with his boot and will be absolutely crucial for Toulon in this final. He is a guy I respect hugely but it’s not rocket science when you play Jonny — you keep your discipline and don’t give him many penalty kicks.

“Brocky has been at Clermont for seven years and this is a great opportunity for him to display his game.

“He has grown with the team during that period and he is about to play on a big stage against one of the best No10s to have ever played the game.

“We are very lucky to have Brocky and this could be a real classic for the biggest prize in European rugby.”

King moved to France six years ago to play out his final season with Clermont. He then joined the coaching set-up under Vern Cotter and has helped the club end a 74-year wait to win the Top 14 title.

If results go King’s way, he will be leaving the Heineken Cup and Top 14 champions to join the Aviva Premiership victors, as Northampton face Leicester in the Play-off Final on May 25. On that day, Clermont have a Top 14 semi-final against Castres with the winners facing either Toulon or Toulouse in the final on June 1.

King added: “The plan is Heineken Cup Final, followed by Top 14 semi and then the final. The last seven years at Clermont has seen Vern’s influence have a profound effect in terms of how the club are run and the team play.

“I am very grateful for the chance to be part of his coaching team and now, hopefully, there are three more massive games before I join Northampton. It was really important to get that title in 2010 having been so difficult to nail the title in the past.”

Brought to you by Amlin, proud sponsor of European rugby, in its fourth season as Title Partner of the Amlin Challenge Cup and Premium Partner of the Heineken Cup.