Clermont beat Toulon 22-16 to take Top 14 title
Last Updated: 05/06/17 11:17am
Clermont finally held firm when it mattered most and beat Toulon 22-16 to take the Top 14 title.
Both teams put everything into the 80-plus minutes of rugby in a final fitting of an eventful domestic season.
Clermont took a 16-10 lead into the break having surged 13-0 ahead thanks to Morgan Parra's boot and Alivereti Raka's early try.
However, an outstanding finish from Josua Tuisova and accurate kicking from Anthony Belleau ensured that Toulon remained in the match.
The second-half saw intensity levels raise again as penalties were traded off the kicking tees and Clermont's nerve was tested.
The perennial bridesmaids had to keep their cool as the time went deep into the red before Romain Poite penalised Toulon for the final time and the victory was secure.
After an immaculately respected minute's silence in memory of the victims of Saturday's London attack, Clermont made a blistering start and only a knock-on by captain Damien Chouly a yard from the line prevented them from opening their account early doors.
Toulon were restricted to some desperate, last-ditch defending and set their physical stall out in the opening-minutes.
Under pressure, Toulon collapsed a scrum and Parra kicked a sixth-minute penalty to give Clermont the first points of the evening.
On ten minutes, Clermont held firm against a wave of battering Toulon attacks before Nick Abendanon ripped the ball from Romain Taofifenua's grasp and Les Jaunards launched a counter from deep inside their own 22.
Damian Penaud flew up-field with a mazy before passing to Fijian winger Alivereti Raka.
Raka hitch-kicked and side-stepped inside compatriot Josua Tuisova before strolling under the posts.
Parra converted and added a second penalty to give Clermont their 13-0 lead.
Franck Azéma's side were playing with a zest and intensity that Toulon simply couldn't manage but New Zealand great Ma'a Nonu managed to stem the yellow tide with a crucial interception off Parra inside the Toulon 22.
Barring an Anthony Belleau penalty, all the team in red could manage in attacking terms were some testing up-and-unders for full-back Nick Abendanon.
That was until a high tackle from Fritz Lee on James O'Connor saw the No 8 receive a yellow card and Toulon sense their opportunity.
South African prop Marcel van der Merwe made ground up the middle and quick ball spread wide allowed the bulldozing Tuisova to finish in the corner under intense pressure.
Belleau's conversion from the touch-line brought Toulon back to within three points but a Parra penalty opened it to 16-10 at the break.
Clermont had scored a combined 59 points to 15 in the last two meetings between these sides but at the Stade de France Toulon were a different proposition.
At the start of the second-half Belleau and Parra traded penalties before veteran Aurelien Rougerie was introduced in place of Penaud.
Belleau could have levelled the scores but saw two penalties hit the uprights.
Clermont went close to a try as David Strettle won a chase onto Parra's clever box-kick though but he couldn't gather the ball with the line begging.
Toulon's rugged and relentless power play was starting to wear down Clermont and a Francis Trinh-Duc penalty nine minutes from time had them back to within three points at 16-19.
However, this time Clermont held firm and it was Parra who did the work of a flanker at the ruck and gained a crucial penalty which he slotted off the tee.
From that point on the final eight minutes was about composure and heart.
Toulon pressed and pressed however when Romain Poite penalised Duane Vermeulen for holding on with the line in sight Clermont's relief was almost tangible.
