Toulouse and Cardiff Blues conquer Europe
The two biggest trophies in European rugby union were wrapped up over the course of a glorious hot and sunny weekend in France.
On Saturday, Toulouse sealed a record fourth Heineken Cup with a narrow 21-19 victory over Biarritz. Many had predicted a wider winning margin for the competition’s most successful ever side in the build up to the final; but Biarritz produced a spirited performance to come agonisingly close to their first European Cup.
More than 78,000 passionate supporters made their way up from the southern regions of the country to Paris’ Stade de France and witnessed a tense and cagey encounter, dominated by the boot.
Some typically clinical kicking from fly-half David Skrela secured Toulouse the majority of their 21 points, while Florian Fritz hit a penalty and drop-goal of his own. However, it was their opponents who scored the sole try of the match. Karmichael Hunt crossed the line on the 73rd minute to set up a thrilling finale; but Toulouse held on to seal another European title, much to delight of their travelling supporters inside the packed arena.
For those unfortunate Toulouse fans who’d failed to snap up a match ticket, they were still able to watch on big screens in the heart of the city; and they ensured the celebrations in south-west France were as wild as they were in the capital. Toulouse had added another Heineken Cup to their glistening trophy cabinet, and will surely be the team to beat again next year.
A day later, once the celebrations had begun to die down in the South of France, the second European final of the weekend took place between Cardiff Blues and Toulon in Marseille.
The Blues became the first Welsh team to win a European trophy with a stunning 28-21 victory in the Amlin Challenge Cup Final.
Thanks a large dose of tenacity and determination, Cardiff Blues sealed the Challenge Cup in spectacular fashion over their rival French finalists, who were left to rue the injury to English fly-half Jonny Wilkinson early in the second-half.
Had the former Newcastle Falcons star not been injured while kicking a difficult penalty, the scoreline could have been much different.
On the balance of play, though, the Welsh region deserved to lift the coveted trophy. Three second-half tries from Jamie Roberts, Leigh Halfpenny and Bradley Davies sealed the victory for the Blues. Toulon had been the better side in the opening stages of the match, and warranted their 13-6 lead at the interval; but their downfall was failing to maintain the same high level of performance in the second 40 minutes.
Dai Young, the Blues’ head coach, was faced with the most important half-time team talk of his managerial career after seeing his side outplayed by Toulon. His words clearly had the desired effect. The Blues came out fighting, looking a far better unit than the nervous side from the first-half.
Not even a 77th minute try from Toulon’s Thomas Sourice was enough for the nerves to seep back in for the Welsh outfit. They stood firm, held their ground, and proudly lifted their biggest trophy since being founded in 2003.
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