Toulouse claim Top 14 glory

Yoann Huget scored two tries at the Stade de France to clinch Top 14 glory for Toulouse against Clermont

A brace of Yoann Huget tries – plus the boot of Thomas Ramos – secured Toulouse their first Top 14 title since 2012 courtesy of a 24-18 victory over Clermont at the Stade de France on Saturday.

A superior kicking game proved the genesis of Toulouse’s victory – their 20th French Championship in history – with Clermont half-backs Camille Lopez and Greig Laidlaw struggling to adequately kick their side into a position of ascendancy.

Laidlaw did prove faultless with the boot off the tee – kicking 15 of Clermont’s points via penalties, with Lopez adding another one – but the men from the Auvergne could not force a try.

Toulouse’s Springbok full-back Cheslin Kolbe – who came up with two try assists – was sin-binned in the first half, but Clermont failed to take advantage as they suffered their 24th final loss in the club’s history.

More to follow…