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Rugby

'I'd like Toulon to win the Heineken Cup' - Keith Wood

Listen to the full interview via the podcast  This Saturday, Toulon and Saracens lock horns...



'I'd like Toulon to wi...
Rugby

'I'd like Toulon to win the Heineken Cup' - Keith Wood

Listen to the full interview via the podcast 

This Saturday, Toulon and Saracens lock horns in the 2014 Heineken Cup Final.

And Keith Wood is backing the reigning champions, for one reason: Jonny Wilkinson.

The former England No 10 will retire at the end of the season and Keith believes a Heineken Cup triumph would be a fitting send off.

"You know what? I'd like Toulon to win and they're two teams I wouldn't be jumping up and down to support either of those teams. It's partly just out of a little bit of romanticism for the last couple of games for Jonny Wilkinson, a guy who has been a phenomenal player and I think it's amazing how he has blossomed in the autumn of his rugby years," said Keith.

He and Gerry Thornley were on Wednesday Night Rugby to look ahead to the last final under the Heineken Cup umbrella and also touched on Irish coaches.

"It's kind of like Chelsea vs Paris Saint Germain isn't it?It's the nouveau riche of French rugby versus the nouveau riche of Premiership rugby. They're both financially well backed, very uber-ambitious clubs who sign big and play modern day, physical rugby. They have very strong benches and very strong squads. It will be a very collision-oriented game. I don't think Toulon will be able to bully Saracens," said Gerry.  

With Ronan O'Gara intending to remain abroad as a coach, Keith and Gerry also chatted about coaching in the AIL and the changes to the Munster backroom team under Anthony Foley.

"Foley is a stubborn man. He will want to be challenged because that's in his nature and he will want people to argue with him. I'm sure he believes he's got the group of guys that will challenge him enough and make certain that he does the right job that he has to do," said Keith.

Gerry also praised Leinster's Ian Madigan who has come under pressure recently and the lads also spoke about Stephen Ferris' potential retirement through injury, with Keith comparing him to a "human wrecking ball" who will be missed if forced out of the game.

 

 

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