The first European Rugby Champions Cup comes to a thrilling conclusion this weekend with French heavyweights Toulon taking on their escargot-eating compatriots Clermont Auvergne. The competition has experienced high levels of viewership in Europe but hasn’t really caught the attention of even the most ardent South African rugby fan. This final may peak interest in the republic however with South African stalwarts Bakkies Botha and Brian Habana turning out in Toulon colours whilst Michael Classens, Juan Smith and Craig Burden are also amongst the Toulon squad. Clermont are the plucky underdogs going in to this one; they do boast a side loaded with a wealth of experience however. It promises to be an epic encounter between two of the bigger franchises in French and European rugby and with so many internationally capped players amongst the two squads we’re almost guaranteed a highly enthralling game at Twickenham on Saturday.
To Win (80mins)
Toulon will be without the services of England international Delon Armitage; the fullback fractured his hand in last weekend’s 25-20 semi-final win against Leinster. The Armitage clan will still have representation in the final through Delon’s brother Steffon who will be one of the loose-forwards in a highly experienced pack. Although there are some big name players in Toulon’s backline the real heart and soul of this team is the engine room which boasts some of the most fearsome and revered names in world rugby. Bakkies Botha and Carl Hayman will have had many a mouthy scrummy fearing for their life during their days in Springbok and All Black jumpers. Although this will be a forward dominated battle the mercurial talents of veteran Frenchman Freddy Michalak and Welsh wizard Leigh Halfpenny could be telling factors in Toulon claiming the cup.
