ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Toulon claim unprecedented treble of European Cup titles with victory over Clermont

BY Grant Constable  ·  Sunday May 3, 2015

Toulon came from behind to beat Clermont 24-18 and claim a first ever hat-trick of European Cup titles, showing yet again that they have the edge in big games. Clermont’s Nick Abendanon scored a sublime try, only to be matched by Drew Mitchell not long after.

Clermont started the better of the two sides and looked as though they could be on track for the long awaited silverware, in this the first year of the new format European Rugby Champions Cup. They led 11-3 at one stage but Toulon pulled things back, and landed a killer blow just before the break through midfield tank, Mathieu Bastareaud.

The second half was thoroughly entertaining, and when Toulon got a turnover and knockon advantage in their own 22m, Bryan Habana attempted to hack the ball down field, only to have it land in the arms of dangerous fullback Abendanon.

What followed was a sumptious chip over the defence for a truly memorable try.

Game on. But just as Abendanon had raised the standards, Australia winger Mitchell hit the line at a lovely angle and proceeded to carve up the hapless Clermont defence, as he slalommed through no less than 6 would be tacklers.

He said post match that the camaraderie of the squad is what carried them through. “We’ve been questioned a lot lately as a squad.. where we’ve been, how we’ve come together, and what we’ve played for,” said tryscorer Micthell. 

“But we know internally that we’re a pretty driven side out there. We were certainly pushed by Clermont there, they’re a fantastic side, right to the end again, the same as a couple of years ago. They could have snatched it at the end there. It’s good for us to know that we’ve got that belief and that respect and that trust in one another.”

The victory is another milestone for the likes of Bakkies Botha, Carl Hayman and Ali Williams, who are all retiring at the end of the season. Their winning titles is just too extensive to list.

“I think they can do it again next year: we’re seeing the club’s recruited very well for next season,” said Hayman. “There are three or four older fellas moving on, but they are being replaced well.”

In a funny moment post match, Bryan Habana joked that the only positive to come from his dire kick ahead is that he may have helped Nick Abendanon make it into the England squad.

What were your highlights of the match, and with a hat-trick of titles and more top players arriving soon, including Ma’a Nonu, Quade Cooper and Samu Manoa, can Toulon be stopped?

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles

  • 77 WEEKS AGO

    Breaking down the greatest year of international...

  • 258 WEEKS AGO

    scottish prop saves fire victim

  • 262 WEEKS AGO

    New Rugby X tournament insane



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: Outlandish Jacob Stockdale finish is truly world class

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Ulster denied THE GREATEST URC try you will ever see!

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Capuozzo break sets Dupont up for hatrick on return

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Fans praise 'Dom Perignon Rugby' as Irish players prepare for final match of South African tour

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Harlequins winger heralded as the next big England breakthrough after weekend's performance

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    South African school boy makes the greatest tackle ever

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Huge guillotine tackle divides fans in viral footage

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Fans call for Stuart Hogg to face punishment after altercation involving ball boy

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Insane moment as french backrow waves off medic and smokes Ange Capuozzo

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible drop goal helps break 25-match losing streak

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Leinster fly half delivers insane 50:22 after being given start for Emerging Ireland

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    French scrumhalf drills perfect shot at goal under outrageous circumstances

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Siya Kolisi makes young fans' day as he arrives at Cape Town school

View All

Funnies

  • 4 HOURS AGO

    Mischievous Marcus Smith spotted engaging in the dark arts during All Blacks match

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Sexton: 'Fondest memory of the Heineken Cup in 2011?' - 'Gordon D'Arcy's bar' and 'Coppers'

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Watch: Mike Haley's post match interaction with RG Snyman leaves no doubt about where Munster players stand

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    The rugby guy and Mack Hansen drop an all time BANGER with latest video

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    ‘Pitch is made of concrete’ - Fan provides much needed update following half time incident

View All

Amateur

  • 95 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 95 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 118 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 118 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 118 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Louis Rees-Zammit opens up about his biggest shock in chasing NFL dream

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    'It's been an honour' - Wales legend retires from international rugby

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Sexton: 'Fondest memory of the Heineken Cup in 2011?' - 'Gordon D'Arcy's bar' and 'Coppers'

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    'It's been horrible' - Wales captain to miss Autumn Nations

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    'It was an easy decision for me' - Saints star commits to future

View All