Toulon capture historic third straight Euro crown with thrilling late victory over Clermont
Drew Mitchell’s brilliant late try ensured Toulon became the first club to win three consecutive European titles as they beat French rivals Clermont 24-18 in a thrilling final at Twickenham on Saturday.
Drew Mitchell’s brilliant late try ensured Toulon became the first club to win three consecutive European titles as they beat French rivals Clermont 24-18 in a thrilling final at Twickenham on Saturday.
The Australian went past six defenders in a warning to England, who could be up against the flying wing in a World Cup pool match this year after Australia recently relaxed their rules on selecting overseas-based players for test duty.
Toulon and New Zealand lock Ali Williams said afterwards that he had “never loved an Australian as much as I loved Drew Mitchell when he scored that try”.
Clermont were 11-3 up midway through the first half of the European Rugby Champions Cup decider, but Leigh Halfpenny’s remorseless boot and a converted try by Mathieu Bastareaud carried Toulon into a 16-11 lead at the break.
It is a tough one to swallow at the moment. Our discipline cost us at times and we fell off some tackles
Nick Abendanon’s converted try for Clermont just after the hour cut Toulon’s lead to a point only for Mitchell to have the last word.
