The Toulon 23 That Won The Heineken Cup For The Second Time

In 2014, Toulon went back to back winning their second Heineken Cup under Bernard Laporte. 

The side a season before featured some of the best players in the world in the likes of Matt Giteau, Jonny Wilkinson, Bakkies Botha, Carl Hayman and Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe all which started the 15–16 victory over Clermont.

However, the side that featured in the final in 2014 was just as, if not, even more impressive with the likes of Juan Smith, Bryan Habana, Drew Mitchell, Ali Williams, Michael Claassens and Martin Castrogiovanni all being added to the impressive 23 from the season before.

Again, Jonny Wilkinson was the star of the show slotting all 4 of his shots at goal and added a drop goal for good measure, which also produced one of the most memorable pictures in Champions Cup history.

Xavier Chiocci, Craig Burden and Carl Hayman made up the front row for Toulon with Choicci replacing Andrew Sheridan from the 2013 final and Burden replacing Sebastien Bruno. Burden fronted up against fellow South African Schalk Brits for Saracens with the English side fielding Mako Vunipola and Matt Stevens either side of Brits.

Nick Kennedy fell out of the starting XV with Bakkies Botha joined by fellow Springbok forward Danie Rossouw who moved into the second row to accommodate Juan Smith at flank. Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe started in the #7 jersey again with Steffon Armitage replacing Chris Masoe at no.8.

Alistair Hargreaves and Steve Borthwick made up the Saracens second row with Kelly Brown, Jacques Burger and Billy Vunipola completing the pack. 

The combinations at 9-10 and 12-13 remained the same for Toulon over the two finals with Sébastien Tillous-Borde linking up with Jonny Wilkinson and Matt Giteau linking up with Mathieu Bastareaud. However, the wings did change for Toulon with Bryan Habana and Drew Mitchell linking up with Delon Armitage.

Richard Wigglesworth and Owen Farrell started in the halfback roles for Saracens with Brad Barritt and Marcelo Bosch in the midfield.  Alex Goode made a full England back three with the likes of Chris Ashton and David Strettle.

The Final: Toulon 23-6 Saracens

Saracens - (3) 6
Pens: Farrell 2

Toulon (10)

23 Tries: Giteau, Smith

Cons: Wilkinson 2
Pens: Wilkinson 2
Drop-goal: Wilkinson

Line Ups:

Line-ups:

Toulon: D Armitage; D Mitchell, M Bastareaud, M Giteau, B Habana; J Wilkinson (capt, M Mermoz 78), S Tillous-Borde (M Claassens 71); X Chiocci (A Menini 46), C Burden (J-C Orioli 41), C Hayman (M Castrogiovanni 56), B Botha (A Williams 53), D Rossouw (J Suta 53), J Smith (V Bruni 72), J Fernandez Lobbe, S Armitage.

Saracens: A Goode; C Ashton, M Bosch, B Barritt, D Strettle (C Wyles 71); O Farrell (C Hodgson 64), R Wigglesworth (N de Kock 52); M Vunipola (R Barrington 64), S Brits (J George 70), M Stevens (J Johnston 53), S Borthwick (capt), A Hargreaves (M Botha 64), K Brown, J Burger (J Wray 61), B Vunipola.