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Is there any more a poetic head-to-head than the retiring hero of England's 2003 Rugby World Cup triumph playing a Heineken Cup final against his incumbent, more than a decade down the line, Owen Farrell?

England fly-halves of present and past will face off at the Millennium Stadium in what will be a titillating chess match, except Farrell perhaps brings with him more of the rook's brute physicality with ball in hand than Wilkinson's preferred, queen-like elegance.

That, of course, isn't to say the Saracens No. 10 isn't capable of his own more subtle features, but his Toulon counterpart will need to be a lot more aware of what's coming inside his shoulder than vice-versa should Farrell seek to hit the harder lines himself more frequently.

Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal's plans to retire the No. 10 jersey come the end of Wilkinson's stay as a player at the Stade Mayol is indicative of just how much impact the playmaker has had on the side in recent years.

It goes without saying that the accuracy of this pair's kicking from tee will be of vital significance on the day, with each team likely to take every chance they can get at nipping away at the scoreboard.

But will Wilkinson have one more European showcase to add to his collection, in which his territory kicking and utilisation of the tremendous outlets surrounding him could be all the more important?