Europe’s premier club tournament concluded this weekend with the defending champions Toulon putting up a solid performance against the Saracens taking the title for a second time in as many years with a score line of 23 points to 06.
England World Cup-winner Jonny Wilkinson in his penultimate game before retirement signed off from European Rugby in style. He kicked a drop-goal, two penalties and two conversions of the tries scored by centre Matt Giteau and flanker Juan Smith to sink Saracens 23-6 at the Millennium Stadium. The Saracens could only manage two penalties off the boot of Owen Farrell.
Farrell opened the scoring just 3 minutes into the game as he knocked over a relatively simple penalty when Toulon was penalised in the scrum. Understandably both teams were a bit tentative through the mid stages of the first half. Toulon then unleashed a planned move as Wilkinson went left from a break-down and then changed directions back to the right swinging it to Matt Giteau who spotted space in behind the Saracens and put in a spot on kick for Drew Mitchell to chase, Giteau was then right on Mitchell’s shoulder in support as he took the offload from the Australian winger to score on the right hand of the up rights. Wilkinson with pin point accuracy added the extras to give Toulon a 07-03 lead. Three minutes before the half time break Wilkinson extended the lead when he put over a trademark drop-goal from 30 meters out to take his team to half time with a 10-03 lead.
Four minutes into the second half Owen Farrell closed the lead with a penalty from in front of the posts. Ten minutes later Wilkinson slotted another three points with a penalty from 45m out. In the 58th minute Toulon expanded their lead with a great team try as Wilkinson along with Mathieu Bastareud and Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe all got touches before setting up Juan Smith for the try in the corner. Wilkinson kept up his 100% record as he knocked over the conversion to make it 20-06. In the 64th minute Wilkinson slotted over another 40m penalty to seal the game for Toulon and 23-06.
Saracens will feel deeply frustrated that they could make little impact on the contest, but with Wilkinson pulling Toulon’s strings, the French club held a vice-like grip on second-half proceedings.
The result proved a hammer-blow for Saracens yet they could have no complaints on a day when they were given a clear lesson in how to win big games when pressure was at its most intense.
Wilkinson received a standing ovation when he departed three minutes from time, his job done and Toulon ready to enjoy riotous celebrations.
Highlights of game – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNTpdafeCmE
