Toulon outhalf Jonny Wilkinson kicked six penalties and a late drop goal to give his side a 21-15 victory over Leicester yesterday and put the French club into the semi-finals of the Heineken Cup. Wilkinson, whose drop kick won the World Cup for England 10 years ago, triumphed in the battle of the boot over his former Newcastle team-mate Toby Flood, who kicked all of Leicester’s points.

Toulon will now meet Saracens in the semi-final on Sunday April 29th at Twickenham. Flood gave Leicester a 9-0 lead with three penalties within eight minutes but was sent to the sin-bin 10 minutes later for a deliberate knock-on as Toulon had surged on to the offence.

Leicester led 9-6 at the break before two Wilkinson penalties gave the home the side the lead for the first time.

Toulon centre Mathieu Bastareaud was denied a try when Leicester left wing Adam Thompstone forced him into touch just before the line. Another bullocking run from Bastareaud appeared to put lock Bakkies Botha in for a try but referee George Clancy correctly ruled there had been a double movement. Leicester’s prop Dan Cole was sin-binned for the same offence as Flood and Wilkinson kicked a further penalty as Toulon began to take the game to the visiting side. They led 18-15 going into the final minute when Wilkinson kicked his drop goal to clinch the win.