Off-colour Wilkinson kicks Toulon to victory

Jonny Wilkinson overcame a nervous display but still kicked all of Toulon's points in a gritty 15-9 win over struggling Agen on Saturday as his team maintained a seven-point lead in the French Top 14.

Despite missing three kicks at goal Wilkinson was successful with four penalties and a second-half drop-goal with South African fly-half Conrad Barnard successful with three penalties for Agen.

Two-time defending champions Toulouse slipped to their fifth defeat in all competitions this season as Grenoble beat them 15-6.

It was the first time in four-and-a-half years that the four-time European champions had suffered two successive defeats, having lost to Welsh side Ospreys in their European Cup clash last Saturday.

Former Toulouse player Valentin Courrent kicked all his side's points in what was their eighth win -- their seventh at home and extending their unbeaten stretch there to 22 -- of a successful return to the elite league while also denying Toulouse a defensive bonus point.

Toulouse, whose five defeats have all been away from home, are nine points adrift of Toulon while 2010 champions Clermont are second -- two points ahead of Toulouse and seven behind Toulon -- having beaten Bordeaux-Begles 28-24 on Friday.

Grenoble coach Sylvain Begon said that victory had been made possible because the players had listened to what his strategy was and replicated it on the pitch.

“The players not only followed the gameplan but they once again showed their spirit is exemplary,” said the 40-year-old.

“It is vital not to leave space for Toulouse to attack through. We never panicked, even when we were at one point being dominated by them.

It is crucial we continue to preserve this momentum for as long as possible.”

Toulouse wing Vincent Clerc conceded that Grenoble had been hungrier for victory.

“There is little to say,” said the France star.

AFP