The biggest game of the European club season is upon us and it’s an all French affair with a repeat of last years Heineken Cup final. Here is my prediction.
First here is a link to my reviews of the semi finals.
How did your predictions of the semi-final go?
2 from 2, so I must be an oracle! Maybe not as this is where we were 12 months ago.
Clermont Auvergne v Toulon
Last year it was Toulon who came out on top to win back to back titles. Who ever wins this game they are going to make history. Clermont have never won the top european competition and Toulon would be the first to win it three times on the trot.
These sides are 1 and 2 in the domestic French league but surprisingly have had some wobbles of late. Over the last three rounds of the Top 14 Toulon have lost to La Rochelle and Toulouse whilst Clermont have lost to Castres, Oyonnax and Stade Francais. It would appear that both are targeting this competition heavily. They heavenly met once head to head in the league and Toulon took that win in November. They will also meet again on the 16th of May so revenge will be available quickly.
Initially I was swayed by the Down The Blind Sides argument, as this is in London and French sides don’t travel well, that the number of senior internationals in the Toulon side would help them prevail. But there is plenty of international experience in the Clermont side too. This should be a cracking game with plenty of skill on show and after their impressive wins over English sides recently I’m going with Clermont. Maybe that extra time against Leinster and their aging bodies might just catchup on Toulon.
Clermont Auvergne by 5
