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» Red Rose exiles turn on the style » Lancaster faces World Cup decision » Armitage: I still dream of call-up
STEFFON ARMITAGE gave a case for England selection very difficult to dispute as Toulon made European Cup history.
Inspired by flanker Armitage, Toulon came from behind to beat a Clermont side once again denied the major prize at the death.
His fellow England exile Nick Abendanon sparked hopes of a Clermont win with a stunning solo try, but in the end it was the richest club in Europe who lifted the richest prize again to clinch an historic hat-trick of titles.
Both players are exiled because they play abroad, but on this evidence it’s a flawed ruling and England coach Stuart Lancaster must wish he could call on Armitage for this year’s World Cup.
Armitage said: “In terms of England, I’ll never forget making my Test debut, in the same team as my brother Delon, against Italy in 2009.
“But I came here to prove myself, not to hold tackle bags. I came to become a better player, surrounded by tremendous players.
“Then the rules changed. I’ve never stopped wanting to play for England again, but it’s out of my hands. Defeat today was not an option for us, we literally did not think of failure. A player can only do his very best on the field and the rest is up to other people.”
Clermont’s hopes were hit hard when they lost fly-half Brock James to a prematch warm-up strain, and his place was taken by Camille Lopez, who celebrated by firing them ahead on eight minutes. And despite Toulon’s desperate efforts to kickstart their usual game, Lopez doubled the lead off the tee.
Leigh Halfpenny sparked Toulon’s scoreboard into life with a goal on 17 minutes, but a charge-down led to the game’s opening try. Morgan Parra’s attempted box-kick was blocked by Seb Tillous-Borde and it bounced to Wesley Fofana who sped in by the flag.
Wales star Halfpenny cut the deficit with a goal on 29 minutes, and added another two minutes later.
But it needed a complete moment of madness by Abendanon on 40 minutes to hand Toulon their first try.
Having fielded lded a kick, the fullback brokeke and tried a chip into space.pace.
It went straightraight to a red jersey,sey, and seconds ds later, Mathieuu Bastareaud charged over the line, with Halfpenny converting.
Tha t moment seemed to jolt Clermont and their huge following. Nerves jangled in public, and when Jamie Cudmore kicked the ball away after referee Nigel Owens’ whistle, Halfpenny increased the lead by another three on 52 minutes. Just when Toulon began to swag swagger, Bryan Haban Habana’s kick clear was fielded by Ab Abendanon who lol ooked up, c chipped into space , gathered and scored on 62 minutes, with t the opposition seemingly bemused. Lopez’s conversion cut the deficit to one point, re-igniting the 56,662 crowd who had begun to fear a Toulon run-away win.
However, class will always out, and Toulon have it in spades.
With 70 minutes on the clock, Wallaby wing Drew Mitchell escaped up the right, and danced past six opponents to score a memorable try.
Fly-half Halfpenny said: “It’s what it’s all about. This is where you want to be, involved in games like this.”