An end of season Top 14 clash between Toulon and Dax at the Stade Maurice Boyau would not normally feature very highly in the English media, if at all, but on this occasion it did. The reason? The result of the match would reportedly confirm the playing future of English rugby's most recognised figure - Jonny Wilkinson.

	Have we seen the back of Jonny Wilkinson in the Premiership? © Getty Images

Toulon's 22-14 victory not only cemented their Top 14 status next season but also brought them one step closer to securing the services of the England fly-half. Wilkinson is one of a number of leading players to have been heavily linked with a summer switch to the big-spending club and their place in the France's top flight was one of the remaining sticking points in what has been a protracted process.

The other main barrier to the move regards the fitness of the injury-prone Wilkinson who famously kicked England to Rugby World Cup glory against Australia in 2003 and more recently became the record international points scorer.

Since that famous night in Sydney almost six years ago, Wilkinson has started 45 matches for Newcastle and only 16 for England - an average of 12 a season. And what was is set to be his last season for Falcons was brought to a shuddering halt way back in October when he suffered the latest crippling injury blow - a dislocated knee cap.

This latest injury, the latest in a long list of setbacks since his first operation in February 2004, saw him go under the knife twice but he failed to recover before the end of the season, fate denying him a Kingston Park farewell.

Toulon will be well aware of the injury woes he has suffered and the battering his body has taken with ankle, shoulder, arm, knee, appendix, groin, kidney and more requiring varying degrees of treatment over the years. This medical lexicon, Wilkinson's lack of game time and the fact he will be turning 30 next week would surely concern even the most ardent of fans. Ask yourself - would you sign Wilkinson? Obviously the most generous of French rugby's benefactors would if he could.

Reports suggest that it is a gamble Toulon are more than willing to take. A three-year deal worth somewhere between €800,000 and €1m is reportedly on the table - but crucially this figure depends on the number of matches he plays.

The deep pockets of Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal have already been busy this summer, working on a contingency. The capture of Leinster fly-half Felipe Contepomi and Wilkinson's Falcons team mate Tom May ensures options at No.10 should the Wilkinson deal not materialise or he is struck down again by injury.

Any deal not incorporating an appearances clause would be madness. Just ask Toulon's Top 14 rivals Perpignan who paid a reported €700,000 to secure the services of All Blacks fly-half Dan Carter for seven months but got just five matches for their money after the Kiwi suffered an Achilles tendon injury. But the Catalan club claim his arrival had such a positive impact on their revenue in terms of season-ticket sales, merchandising and sponsorship that their investment was not as ill-advised as some may have thought.

Toulon are banking on Wilkinson having a similar impact on his arrival in the south of France. And Boudjellal's amusing claim that Wilkinson is the 'Michael Jackson of rugby' seems to underline that belief. We can assume that it is the 'King of Pop's' ability to shift tickets that Boudjellal is refering to.

However, it would appear that the club are already on the right track when it comes to marketing themselves. Their magnetic power was there for all to see when they opted to switch their Top 14 clash with Toulouse from their regular 14,000 capacity Stade Mayol home to the neighbouring Stade Velodrome in Marseille.

The move, similar to that which has seen Paris-based Stade Francais stage big games at the Stade de France, was an out and out success with a capacity crowd of 60,000 fans packing the stadium. Wilkinson would obviously be an added draw at such an occasion but Toulon will be hoping that the Englishman can lift their status to a whole new level on the global stage.

Toulon are no strangers to high-profile signings with Boudjellal's chequebook previously attracting the likes of George Gregan, Tana Umaga and Victor Matfield and amongst their latest additions is Philippe Saint-Andre who will take charge of the squad next season.

We will have to wait until May 18 to hear Toulon's confirmed signings for next season but it appears Wilkinson is on his way to the south of France. "Some things being said are true but others aren't," said Boudjellal this weekend. "Certain players who haven't been spoken of have also signed."

Wilkinson, along with fellow Falcons stalwarts May, Jamie Noon and Hall Charlton, was honoured for his ten years service at the club's end of season awards - maybe a telling sign?

He may have featured rarely for the Falcons but the fans would have welcomed the opportunity to thank him for his 11-years of loyalty. If they are to see him in action again they may well require a passport to do so.

Top 14's Biggest Earners?: (Source: Sunday Times)
Jonny Wilkinson (Toulon) - €1m
Sebastien Chabal (Racing Metro) - €1m
Francois Steyn (Racing Metro) - €750,000
Sonny Bill Williams (Toulon) - €500,000
Byron Kelleher (Toulouse) - €460,000
Juan Martín Hernández (Stade Français) - €440,000