Wilko 'Will' retire at the end of the season.

Looks like Wilko is set to call it a day at the end of the season and take up a kicking coach role in Toulon.

Anyone else heard the rumours?

The great man will retired at the end of the season

What a player, what a star of the game.

Maybe this will finally prompt Phil Vickery to give the matter some consideration.

Yes about time ... Big Phil still has a few good years in him though.

Glad for Wilko. I think that (with no disrespect to the Falcons) he's found his spiritual home there and it's a very good place to start a coaching career. If he gets a few years under his belt in a general coaching role, then surely the English RFU will come calling. He's a measured and intelligent chap and I predict he'll have Rob Andrew's job in less than a decade.

Maybe George, but in the short term its bad news for England as he'll be working with 1/2p to make him an even better kicker.

Glad for Wilko. I think that (with no disrespect to the Falcons) he's found his spiritual home there

as they say 'lol'

I think it would take a one eyed rabid ignormamus of a North Easterner to take offence at the suggestion that a rugby player may prefer Southern France to NE England.

Whilst there is a lot of good things about this part of the world, the climate and the rugby lag behind that of Southern France.


Now if we ever went to playing summer rugby and Deano gets a rugby culture installed at Kingston Park then I might be willing to argue the point, but at the minute, no argument.

I take offence...  

Hmm.

You might have a point there. Let’s look at it in detail

Med vs North Sea – A win for the North Sea, in Winter it’s invigorating and in summer its…slightly less invigorating. Who would want to splash about in that warm insipid Mediterranean? And as for being surrounded by sun kissed godesses in bikinis, what's wrong with a duffel coat and a pair of stout boots or wellies. Come on man.

Southern France vs North East England – A win for the NE as there are less millionaires in the NE and as we all know millionaires are prats. Also there are a lot of French in Southern France and even the kids speak French. It's too hot and too dusty.

Toulon Naval Base vs Catterick Camp – A win for Catterick, Brit Squaddies vs French Sailors? Enough said.

Provence Wine vs NE Beer – North East Beer anytime, Mordue, Big Lamp, Hexhamshire Brewery, Northumberland Brewery, Allendale, Delaval Brewery, Tyne Bank brewery – well the list is endless and what has Toulon got – Wine – is that it? No contest.

Climate – ok, Toulon gets the nod – it is a better growing season, I bet you could get some humungous tomatoes and not even need a greenhouse.

Rugby – well Toulon just shades this – for now.

So I’ll allow you to be offended – but let’s tone it down to being slightly ‘miffed’, don’t want to let them think we are a bunch of radgies.

Dude we have Whitley Bay! Bank Holiday Mondays...!

End of debate   

So its official Wilko will retire at the end of the season.