Heineken Cup final - Preview

Last year’s Heineken Cup champions Toulon will defend their crown against Saracens in this year’s Heineken Cup final, which takes place this Saturday, May 24th at 5pm (local time) at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

There is a certain irony in the fact that there is a French and English club side contesting the last-ever Heineken Cup final, considering all the well-documented problems surrounding the Heineken Cup. Problems which were caused by the French and English clubs!

Toulon claimed their place by overcoming Munster, 24-16. Munster put up quite a fight but gave away too many penalties, which Jonny Wilkinson converted, six in all, along with a monster penalty kicked by Delon Armitage, before half-time.

Munster managed to score a try, through Simon Zebo, though the try was somewhat controversial. There was a question as to whether Zebo grounded the ball, but the referee never even bothered consulting the VMO and the try stood. Munster put up a tremendous fight but it was not to be.

Saracens managed to reach their first-ever Heineken Cup final, by thrashing Clermont, 46-6. The English club completely dominated the French team, scoring six tries in all. There was controversy in this match as well when Saracens were awarded a questionable penalty try by the referee, but that shouldn’t take away from a great win by Saracens.

The Heineken Cup final between Toulon and Saracens makes for quite a clash as both teams have topped the tables of their respective domestic tournaments (Top 14 and Aviva) and will each be contesting the final of those tournaments. Toulon face Castres and Saracens take on Northampton, both games taking place on May 31st. The Rabo12 final between Leinster and Glasgow also takes place that day so it will be quite a bonanza day for rugby fans!

Toulon will be hoping to become the first French club to win both the Top14 and Heineken Cup trophies. Toulon actually came close last year when they won the Heineken but were beaten in the Top14 final, ironically by Castres, who they will face in this year’s Top14 final.

London Wasps were the last English side to do the double, back in 2004 (Leicester also did the double in 2001 and 2002). This is Saracen’s first appearance in a Heineken Cup final, while they won the Aviva Premiership back in 2011.

The last time Toulon faced Saracens was at the semi-final stages of last year’s tournament, with Toulon winning the game by 24-12. Jonny Wilkinson kicked seven penalties and a drop goal, to four penalties by Owen Farrell.

It doesn’t need to be stated but Saracens cannot afford to give away so many penalties in this year’s final if they are to have any chance of winning the match. Wilkinson is acknowledged as one of the very best kickers in the world and has already amassed over 1,246 points (most of those points coming from kicks) for Toulon since joining the club in 2009.

Owen Farrell is no slouch when it comes to kicking either, having amassed over more than 900 points since joining Saracens in 2008. Farrell is probably the most gifted no.10 to play for England since Wilkinson himself, but Wilkinson has shown that he has more of a big match temperament. Wilkinson got the better of Farrell the last time the two teams played. Farrell will be sure to try to prevent that from happening this time round.

Saracens will be the underdogs going into the match, considering Toulon’s greater record. Saracens have had a run of good luck, having benefited from questionable decisions by the referees in both the quarter-final and semi-final stages of this year’s tournament. Saracens shocked Clermont in the semi-final but Toulon will be much better prepared.

Saracens have a terrific team. Alex Goode and Chris Ashton are world-class finishers and Brad Barritt and David Strettle are dangerous attacking threats. And there’s also the aforementioned Farrell.

In the forwards, the Vunipola brothers are a powerful force and they’re backed up by the likes of Schalk Brits, Matt Stevens and Kelly Brown. Saracens will also be buoyed by the news that their captain, Steve Borthwick, has been declared fit to play.

A lot has been made of Toulon’s big pockets but the club has certainly spent their money wisely with a team of international superstars. Delon Armitage is a great player with a tremendous boot (he can kick a penalty from almost the half-way line). There’s also the likes of Drew Mitchell and Matt Giteau. Not to mention World Cup winner, Bryan Habana.

As well as Jonny Wilkinson (who has announced that he will be retiring at the end of this season), Toulon also have Freddie Michalak, who can play at both scrum-half and out-half. Though past his prime, Michalak has proven that he is still a dangerous threat.

In the forwards, Stefon Armitage has been having a terrific season and may be making England coach, Stuart Lancaster rethink his policy on picking those that ply their trade outside England. Toulon also have players of the calibre of Martin Castrogiovanni and Carl Hayman.

Toulon also has a great French contingent, with Mathieu Bastareaud causing carnage that Jonah Lomu would be proud of and Juan Fernandez Lobbe a powerful force at flanker.

Toulon seem to have too much power and should win be able to retain their Heineken Cup trophy.