Toulon zero in on third straight Euro crown but shun ‘favourites’ tag
Title decider deserves more fitting finale than a half-empty Twickenham, says Morgan Parra
Toulon’s bid to be crowned kings of Europe for an unprecedented third successive season will see their star-studded side up against familiar foes when they take on French rivals Clermont in Saturday’s final at Twickenham.
Toulon boast the talents of Australia’s Matt Giteau, South Africa’s Bakkies Botha and New Zealand’s Carl Heyman.
But Clermont, looking to gain revenge for their 16-15 defeat by Toulon in the 2013 final, have plenty of international firepower including Australian playmaker Brock James and England’s Nick Abendanon.
For me [Clermont] are the best team this year. For me they are favourites in the final, but in a match such as this there’s no harm not being favourites
Wales’ Jonathan Davies is there in the European Rugby Champions Cup final, too, although he must fight off competition from the likes of France internationals Wesley Fofana and Aurelien Rougerie for a place in Clermont’s midfield.
Both clubs are among the most well-financed in Europe, with Toulon backed by wealthy comic-book publisher Mourad Boudjellal, while Clermont were founded by the family behind France’s Michelin tyre company and still receive generous backing from the business to this day.
Yet, as is often the way in modern professional sport, both clubs like to portray themselves as outsiders, even underdogs.
“We are accused of being a wealthy club but Toulon is a great adventure,” Boudjellal said.
“It’s like Indiana Jones, but it’s my money and I’m putting everything including my shirt on the line, while Michelin pours one hundred million euros into Clermont.
