For more than ten years, each confrontation between Toulon and Clermont seems to have doubles. On the field or outside, the two clubs go blow for blow. As this Saturday’s match approaches, we come back to five significant meetings that helped install this opposition in the French rugby landscape.
2012: Words more striking than the score
What could be better to open this top than to return to one of the most famous – and controversial – phrases in the history of French rugby? On January 8, 2012, after a 25-19 defeat in Clermont, Mourad Boudjellal lets her now mythical “Arbitral sodomy”, pointing to an arbitral decision which he deems scandalous. A shattering outing that changes the meeting in another dimension. More than a simple regular season match, this evening supports the rivalry assumed between two clubs with opposite cultures, and definitively registers Clermont – Toulon as a classic of French rugby. Suspended 130 days and sentenced to a fine, Boudjellal despite himself becomes a symbol of an era when the outspokenness passed (almost) still before diplomacy.
2013: When Toulon hit hard for his first coronation
Surely considered as One of the most striking finals of the H CUP. On May 18, 2013, Aviva Stadium welcomed a 100 % French duel between Toulonnais and Clermontois. In the first half, the two teams go blow for blow (3-3 at the break). But on the return from the locker room, it was Toulon who takes control, led by Wilkinson and worn by a dominant pack of forwards. In the 64th, Delon Armitage crucifies Clermont with a raging test … and a chambering that has become iconic: a little “cuckoo” addressed to Brock James which will mark his career. A minute later, in the 65th, Jonny Wilkinson transforms into a corner and gives his family the advantage. Final score: 16-15. First RCT trophy since 1992 and the start of a golden era for Varois. For Clermont, this defeat is hard to swallow. ASM does not recover and lets the top 14 spinning a few weeks later.
- 2015: Clermont believed it, Toulon struck again
Two years after Dublin’s disappointment, Clermont found Toulon in the Champions Cup final on May 2, 2015 in Twickenham. ASM begins the meeting perfectly and overwhelms the Var in the first period, leading 11-6 to the break. It was the time when Morgan Parra reigned supreme in the Auvergne animation. But in the second half, Toulon puts his hand back on the match, carried by his power and the experience of his executives. Bastareaud’s trial in the 61st turns the final. At 24-18 in the 78th minute, Clermont has a last chance: a penaltouche five meters from in-goal. Missed. End of history. Final score: 24-18. Toulon offers a historic triplet In Champions Cup, while Clermont passes once again, nearby.
2017: the match where it really hit
On June 4, 2017, Clermont and Toulon met once again in the final, this time for the Brennus shield. A month earlier, the ASM had eliminated the RCT in the European quarter -finals, and the Var people arrive in Paris with the desire to restore balance. The start of the match is to the advantage of the Clermontois, which quickly lead 13-0 thanks to their movement game. The duels are rough, the intensity climbs. At that time, Tuisova and Nonu imposed a constant physical challenge, and the collisions left traces. Five players will leave the lawn on a concussion protocol. Following this tense match, Clermont manages to resist until the end. Final score: 22-16. ASM wins the second shield in its historyafter a confrontation worthy of the rivalry between the two clubs.
2024: The biggest victory in the history of rivalry
On June 2, 2024, Toulon and Clermont met in Mayol for a decisive duel two days from the end. On the outward journey, the young Toulonnais had imposed themselves at the Michelin (30-28), and Clermont arrived launched, with the clear ambition to take his revenge. But that day there was no match. The RCT flew over the meetingwinning 52-10 in a burning atmosphere. At the break, Toulon already led 31-10, and the second period turned to the lesson. This wider victory in the history of this rivalry, validated the qualification of the red and black for the final phase, while the ASM saw its last hopes of Top 6. A one -way, but symbolic match: again, at a key moment, Toulon responded. And the rivalry has won a new line in its history.
