Jonny Wilkinson: French are tougher than you think

Monday 8 February 2010
Published By: David Rawlings
Six Nations > France

French rugby is far tougher than many people expect, according to one man who should know - Jonny Wilkinson.

The England icon plies his trade at Toulon nowadays and said some of the battles he has been involved in across the Channel are among the toughest of his entire career.

Writing in the times, Wilkinson said it is this mixture of strength and resolve which may be the key to France picking up their first Six Nations title since 2007.

"It is not a particularly brave forecast to say that France are serious contenders for the Six Nations title. But what I have learnt about, from being inside French rugby, is the huge esteem and reverence around the national team," he said.

France got off to another winning start at Murrayfield at the weekend following a Scottish performance described as "creaky" by former Scotland captain David Sole, writing for the Daily Telegraph.

Posted by David Rawlings