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Racing Metro turned down Wilkinson
ESPN Staff
December 19, 2014
Jonny Wilkinson had a remarkable impact at Toulon © Getty Images
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Racing Metro owner Jacky Lorenzetti has revealed he turned down the chance to sign Jonny Wilkinson.

In the week where Racing Metro announced the signing of All Blacks superstar Dan Carter on a three-year deal, Lorenzetti revealed he was offered the chance to sign Wilkinson before he agreed to join Toulon.

When Lorenzetti was offered the chance to sign Wilkinson, he rejected the opportunity due to misgivings over his injury record but he says the lessons learned from that mistake persuaded him to push through and sign Carter. Carter has now become the game's first £1 million player despite him being 33 when he arrives at Racing next term.

"A few years ago we were offered Jonny Wilkinson," Lorenzetti told Midi Olympique. "With Pierre Berbizier [then Racing Métro coach] we studied his CV but we didn't want to take the risk. Jonny had played six matches in three years.

"I'm not a poker player. Mourad [Boudjellal] played and won."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd

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