Jonny Wilkinson will step onto the field as a professional player for the last time on Saturday, overshadowing French rugby’s Top 14 final between his club Toulon and champions Castres.
The 35-year-old had a taste of what awaits him a week earlier with his final appearance on British soil in the successful defence of Toulon’s European Cup title at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium, where Saracens were put to the sword 23-6.
Wilkinson was cheered as much, if not more, than the French champions during and after that match and, despite the importance of Saturday’s game to French fans, Wilkinson will likely once again dominate the headlines.
Even his opposite number at the Stade de France on Saturday, Castres fly-half Remi Tales, is full of admiration for Wilkinson.
“What makes him stand out is his game management. He gives his team a lift by finding the diagonals whenever there’s an open space,” said Tales.
“He can do everything and he also has drop goals in his armoury. When you’re defending and he penalises you with three points, that hurts.
“I’m lucky to be playing against him in his last match – it’s a great honour.”
For Wilkinson, it will bring down the curtain on a stunning career, topped off by his last-gasp winning drop-goal to land England their only World Cup victory to date – against hosts Australia in 2003.
This will be Wilkinson’s seventh final since joining big-spending Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal’s outfit in 2009.
And Boudjellal is determined his side will give Wilkinson the send-off he deserves.
“We cannot mess it up. We have given hope to plenty of people and we must not disappoint them. And then, it will be Jonny Wilkinson’s final match.
“I don’t know if this will be the biggest trophy that we win at Toulon but it will be the most moving.”
Toulon reached their zenith with last season’s historic first European Cup triumph and followed it up with this season’s repeat.
But, in between, they actually lost the last Top 14 final to Castres.
“With all the respect I have for Castres, we cannot fail,” added Boudjellal.
“We are fully aware that, last year, we underestimated Castres and that they are a team who deserve to be taken seriously.”
The reigning champions come into this match as underdogs for the second year in a row – also facing the European champions for the second time in succession.
Were Toulon to win, Wilkinson’s CV would have more of the feel his celebrity status and iconic image deserve, with a World Cup, two European Cups and titles in England and France.