Features

Paris set for all-French affair

Author: Craig Williams
Date: 21/05/2010
Rugby Union betting

The Heineken Cup final is an all-French affair for the third time in the competition's history, with Toulouse facing Biarritz in the Stade de France in Paris.

Toulouse have won the European crown on three previous occasions, while Biarritz are hoping to take the title for the first time, having previously lost out to Munster in the 2006 final.

Toulouse also have history on their side in that they were the side to emerge victorious in both the previous all-French showpieces.

In 2003 they saw off Perpignan 22-17 at Lansdowne Road in Dublin and two years later they defeated Stade Francais 18-12 after extra-time at Murrayfield.

Who will win out in the all-French Heineken Cup final? - Latest Rugby Union Betting

This season Toulouse had few problems in progressing from Pool Five to the knockout stages, wining five and losing just once to top the table.

They opened with a 36-17 win at home to Sale Sharks, before edging a 23-19 victory at Harlequins.

They then suffered a 15-9 reverse at Cardiff Blues, but were soon back on track with a 23-7 triumph over the Welsh outfit at the Stadium Municipal.

A 33-21 home win over Quins and a 19-13 success at Sale secure a place in the last eight and, more importantly, their impressive overall record ensured home advantage.

Toulouse faced compatriots Stade Francais in the quarter-finals and ran out comfortable 42-16 winners, with David Skrela landing three conversions and seven penalties from nine attempts for a personal tally of 27 points.

In the semi-finals holders Leinster were put to the sword, with Skrela again the star of the show in a tough 26-16 victory.

The France international fly-half scored a try, two conversions and four penalties to record 21 of his side's 26 points.

While Toulouse skated through their group, Biarritz were just as impressive in topping Pool Two, winning five out of six fixtures.

Victories at Glasgow and at home to Gloucester set the French side on their way, before a comfortable double over Newport Gwent Dragons made all but certain of a place in the last eight.

A 23-8 loss at Gloucester dented their hopes of a perfect record, before they thrashed Glasgow 41-20 to ensure home advantage in the knockout rounds.

However, they were pushed all the way in the last eight by the Ospreys, winning a thriller 29-28 at the Anoeta in San Sebastian.

Biarritz's semi-final against Munster proved to be a tense affair, ultimately decided by the boot of scrum-half Dimitri Yachvili.

The Irish side led 7-6 with 16 minutes to play, before Yachvili landed four late penalties to secure an 18-7 victory which set up Saturday's date with sportsbook favourites Toulouse in the French capital.

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