Champions Cup Final: Clermont vs Toulon, half-empty Twickenham, Sat 2 May 5pm; BT/Sky

thomond2006

May as well start a thread!

It's a repeat of the 2013 final in Dublin as Clermont look to avenge that defeat to lift their first European trophy since the Challenge Cup in 2007 while Toulon are one victory away from an historic three-in-a-row.

I'll be going, having availed of the very generous offer of free tickets on Ticketmaster.

errlloyd

Toulon by 1-7

Literally the only person not winning right now is Premier Rugby limited.

And it makes me happy.

thomond2006

Toulon by 1-7

errlloyd wrote: »

Literally the only person not winning right now is Premier Rugby limited.

And it makes me happy.

The Pro12 are laughing. First €20m guaranteed to them from the EPCR kitty.

stephen_n

Toulon by 1-7

I voted Clermont more out of hope then a belief, think this one is actually too close to call, Clermonts history is not good but Toulon are nnot in great form, if it wasn't a final I'd be backing Clermont all day long.

thomond2006

Toulon by 1-7

stephen_n wrote: »

I voted Clermont more out of hope then a belief, think this one is actually too close to call, Clermonts history is not good but Toulon are nnot in great form, if it wasn't a final I'd be backing Clermont all day long.

Vern Cotter is gone so hopefully that will exorcise the knockout match demons.

stephen_n

Toulon by 1-7

thomond2006 wrote: »

Vern Cotter is gone so hopefully that will exorcise the knockout match demons.

Hope so, could be a really cracking game though.

Warper

Toulon by 1-7

I think most neutrals will want Clermont to win. They have been knocking on the door for the past few years and really threw the final away two years ago. They play much better rugby than the ruthlessly efficient but boring Toulon so come on Clermont.

Plus i backed them at 7's after being at the Munster game in Thomand.

Lets hope this gets sorted by Saturday too!

thomond2006

Toulon by 1-7

Deleted User wrote: »

Lets hope this gets sorted by Saturday too!

Uh oh, that's exactly the way I'm going. Gatwick Express to Clapham and then South West train to Twickenham.

Podge_irl

thomond2006 wrote: »

Uh oh, that's exactly the way I'm going. Gatwick Express to Clapham and then South West train to Twickenham.

The Express goes straight to Victoria...

thomond2006

Toulon by 1-7

Podge_irl wrote: »

The Express goes straight to Victoria...

Come again?

I change at Clapham right? Google Maps has that as the fastest way.

Podge_irl

Podge_irl wrote: »

The Express goes straight to Victoria...

thomond2006 wrote: »

Come again?

thomond2006 wrote: »

Uh oh, that's exactly the way I'm going. Gatwick Express to Clapham and then South West train to Twickenham.

Did either of yee even read the link?

All Gatwick Express services were cancelled and passengers on Southern trains were badly affected.

Podge_irl

Deleted User wrote: »

Did either of yee even read the link?

They're suspended today, he's going on Saturday.

The Gatwick Express train goes direct between Gatwick and Victoria. There is a Southern (I think) train service which stops at Clapham.

thomond2006

Toulon by 1-7

Podge_irl wrote: »

They're suspended today, he's going on Saturday.

The Gatwick Express train goes direct between Gatwick and Victoria. There is a Southern (I think) train service which stops at Clapham.

Sorry, Southern train is what I'm getting from Gatwick.

Swiwi.

Poll for number of box-kicks please thomond.

Seriously, for having a team supposedly full of superstars, I thought Toulon were very ordinary against Leinster, and were only a missed Gopperth dropgoal away from taking a figurative early shower. Based on what I have seen with my own eyes this year, the form Super Rugby teams (Hurricanes, Chiefs, Waratahs, Brumbies) would have beaten Toulon handily enough.

Clermont looked better, but their scrumhalf was pedestrian, which is a pity when you have quality flying Fijians on the wings (including the Highlanders classy Naholo as from next season), and they have that habit of losing when they shouldn't.

I'll be wearing my "Yellow Army" t-shirt and hoping for the a decent game and a Clermont victory.

Digifriendly

Toulon by 1-7

Out of interest how many tickets were sold for this game?

ArmaniJeanss

Digifriendly wrote: »

Out of interest how many tickets were sold for this game?

308.

thomond2006

Toulon by 1-7

Here was the pricing plan for the 2013 Heineken Cup Final in Dublin: http://www.ticketlineuk.com/aviva-stadium-seating-plan

Even with 2013 exchange rates it was a lot cheaper than this final's tickets. The most expensive ticket in 2013 was €85, the most expensive in 2015 is £80 excluding fees (€94.60 on 1st May 2013, €110.40 today).

Millenium Stadium last year was also cheaper:

Price (£)*

A*75
B 65
C 60
D 55
D - Limited Group x 4 offer (£150) **
37.5
E* 35

thomond2006

Toulon by 1-7

ASM Clermont Auvergne
15. Nick Abendanon; 14. Noa Nakaitaci, 13. Jonathan Davies, 12. Wesley Fofana, 11. Naipolioni Nalaga; 10. Brock James, 9. Morgan Parra;
1. Vincent Debaty, 2. Benjamin Kayser, 3. Davit Zirakashvili, 4. Jamie Cudmore, 5. Sébastien Vahaamahina, 6. Julien Bonnaire, 7. Damien Chouly (c), 8. Fritz Lee

16. John Ulugia, 17. Thomas Domingo, 18. Clément Ric, 19. Julien Pierre, 20. Julien Bardy, 21. Ludovic Radoslavjevic , 22. Camille Lopez, 23. Aurélien Rougerie

RC Toulon
15. Leigh Halfpenny; 14. Drew Mitchell, 13. Mathieu Bastareaud, 12. Juan Martin Hernandez, 11. Bryan Habana; 10. Matt Giteau, 9. Sebastien Tillous-Borde;
1. Xavier Chiocci, 2. Guilhem Guirado, 3. Carl Hayman (c), 4. Bakkies Botha, 5. Ali Williams, 6. Juan Smith, 7. Steffon Armitage, 8. Chris Masoe

16. Jean-Charles Orioli, 17. Alexandre Menini, 18. Levan Chilachava, 19. Juan Fernandez Lobbe, 20. Virgile Bruni, 21. Rudi Wulf, 22. Frederic Michalak, 23. Romain Taofifenua

Some interesting selections! Brock James keeps his starting spot ahead of Camille Lopez who came back from injury along with Morgan Parra. Fritz Lee is fit after injury to start at number eight. Lee is a player who can win or lose you a match, he's a brilliant attacker but hotheaded as Munster supporters can attest to this year!

Maxime Mermoz misses out through injury so Juan Martin Hernandez is a surprise inclusion. Giteau is moved into the 10 slot with Michalak covering 9 & 10 on the bench. Michalak was dreadful against Leinster so in a sense it's not a major surprise that he is dropped. With Mitchell coming into the starting XV to replace Nice Guy Delon, it's a 6-2 split with Taofifenua, Bruni (who has barely featured in the last few months) and Fernandez Lobbe on the bench.

There's not a lot between these two teams really. I have a feeling Clermont will do it, with Fernandez LIGIND only on the bench. I'm looking forward to meeting the Clermont supporters tomorrow!

.ak

Actually looking forward to this now...

Qui ne saute pas n’est pas Auvergnat!!

total former

Toulon by more than 7

Is Gorgodze injured?

Sooner or later, this 6-2 split is going to bite Toulon on the ass, hopefully it's this weekend.

Big vote of confidence in Brock James, hope he can live up to it.

thomond2006

Toulon by 1-7

Despite a 6-2 split with 3 back-five forwards, Mamuka Gorgodze cannot get into the 23. I don't think he's injured TF! There's depth for you folks and I wouldn't be surprised if Gorgodze is playing elsewhere next season.

slingerz

Toulon by 1-7

Hoping for a Clermont win here myself to be honest

thomond2006

Toulon by 1-7

Debaty & Zirkashvili vs Chiocci & Hayman could be advantage Clermont.

I Caps Years @ Club Clermont # Toulon Years @ Club I Caps
2 1 Nick Abendanon 15 Leigh Halfpenny 1 63
2 4 Noa Nakaitaci 14 Drew Mitchell 2 63
51 1 Jonathan Davies 13 Mathieu Bastareaud 4 33
33 6 Wesley Fofana 12 Juan Martin Hernandez 1 52
13 3 Napolioni Nalaga 11 Bryan Habana 2 108
0 9 Brock James 10 Matt Giteau 4 92
59 6 Morgan Parra 9 Sebastien Tillous-Borde 4 14
29 7 Vincent Debaty 1 Xavier Chiocci 4 3
32 4 Benjamin Kayser 2 Guilhem Guirado 1 31
45 11 Davit Zirakashvili 3 Carl Hayman 5 45
33 10 Jamie Cudmore 4 Bakkies Botha 4 86
15 1 Sébastien Vahaamahina 5 Ali Williams 2 77
75 8 Julien Bonnaire 6 Juan Smith 2 70
29 3 Damien Chouly  7 Steffon Armitage 4 5
0 2 Fritz Lee  8 Chris Masoe 3 20
0 1 John Ulugia 16 Jean-Charles Orioli 6 0
36 9 Thomas Domingo 17 Alexandre Menini 1 6
0 7 Clément Ric 18 Levan Chilachava 4 35
27 7 Julien Pierre 19 Juan Fernandez Lobbe 6 61
24 6 Julien Bardy 20 Virgile Bruni 3 0
0 7 Ludovic Radosavljevic 21 Rudi Wulf 4 4
9 1 Camille Lopez 22 Frederic Michalak 3 71
76 14 Aurélien Rougerie  23 Romain Taofifenua 1 8
590 128 71 947

BOHSBOHS

ici! ici! c'est montferrand! :pac:

thomond2006

Toulon by 1-7

This game won't be as fun without Felon.

thomond2006

Toulon by 1-7

Any nice bars near the Twickenham rail station?

exiledelbows

Cabbage Patch is always mental. I tend to go the Turks head beside St Margarets station (one stop nearer Richmond). It's slightly off the beaten track but still great fun on match days and 15 minutes from the ground

P_1

Montferrand allez allez allez

sydthebeat

Toulon by 1-7

Guess what idiot organised an nct for himself today at 4:30

Doh!

sydthebeat

Clermont by 1-7

sydthebeat wrote: »

Guess what idiot organised an nct for himself today at 4:30AM

Buer?

sydthebeat

Toulon by 1-7

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Buer?

That's pm not am

mfceiling

Any pubs in Dublin showing it? At the minute it's a straight shootout between this or cinderella at the cinema.

vienne86

Toulon by more than 7

Doesn't it say something about this final when we have managed the grand total of what.....six....posts on this thread today? I wonder how many seat will be filled in Twickenham. Anyway, let's hope for a decent game - Allez les jaunes et bleu!

Stheno

mfceiling wrote: »

Any pubs in Dublin showing it? At the minute it's a straight shootout between this or cinderella at the cinema.

I'd say gibneys and duffys in malahide will have it on

total former

Toulon by more than 7

vienne86 wrote: »

Doesn't it say something about this final when we have managed the grand total of what.....six....posts on this thread today? I wonder how many seat will be filled in Twickenham. Anyway, let's hope for a decent game - Allez les jaunes et bleu!

It's a match-up of what most people would consider the two best teams in Europe, from that perspective it's a dream final.

I think the lack of chatter on boards probably says more about the lack of interest generally when there isn't an Irish team involved.

stephen_n

Toulon by 1-7

Francis backed Toulon, that's a good start.


A half full Twickenham, think they'll have to revisit the venues for finals in future years, mind you the way things are going it would be Paris every year.

Fireball07

The return of Fritz Lee and Morgan Parra to the starting lineup could prove crucial for Clermont- I hope it does. I probably prefer Lopez to James too but James has done alright.


As for Toulon, Hernandez is a good player but has he been playing much this season? I'd prefer Giteau at 10 to Michalak too tbh.

Dave_The_Sheep

Toulon by 1-7

Cockerill getting a bit of a dig in there at Toulon. Wilkinson not reacting.

gar

Any free tickets?

Greyian

Brock James out

vienne86

Toulon by more than 7

Brock James not starting.......anyone know why?

Pudsy33

Lopez starts, not sure what happened James

aimee1

apparently he was carrying a knock and they wanted to give him as much time as possible to start...sky sports say anyway

bilston

Ah Roberts and BOD going through some moves on BT Sport. Now that was one hell of a centre pairing in 2009.

bilston

stephen_n wrote: »

Francis backed Toulon, that's a good start.


A half full Twickenham, think they'll have to revisit the venues for finals in future years, mind you the way things are going it would be Paris every year.

Spreading out the knockout games will help a bit but the fact is if you get two French teams in the final you may hope it's in Paris, Dublin or maybe Cardiff.

Any news on when they will announce the venue of the 2016 final.

What are the odds on it being Cardiff for the 278th time?

I think this final would generate a lot more excitement if it was in France. Its hard for the organisers not to pick a venue at the start of the year but we've seen it so many times now with two French sides in the final. It makes it a hard sell. Given the likelihood that there was a strong possibility there was going to be two French sides in the final in the first year of the new setup, putting the final on in Twickenham to prove a point looks particularly stupid.

keith16

They really tried their best to spell London using only landmarks.

What a shame the stadium is so empty for what should be a showpiece event.

pickarooney

bilston wrote: »

Spreading out the knockout games will help a bit but the fact is if you get two French teams in the final you may hope it's in Paris, Dublin or maybe Cardiff.

Any news on when they will announce the venue of the 2016 final.

What are the odds on it being Cardiff for the 278th time?

Marseille have bid for it. Fingers crossed it'll be (t)here next May. SDF is out as it'll still be in final preparations for the Euros.

19543261

Way more psyched for this than I thought I'd be. Come on, give us a good game, Nigel.