Top 14 Final: Tears of joy and relief as 'Les Jaunards' revel in their maiden French title

30 May 2010

At first he appeared to be trying to hide them, but as the seconds ticked down towards Clermont's victory so the tears welled up ever more on Vern Cotter's weather-beaten face.

The 38-year-old Kiwi took over the coaching reins at Clermont in 2006 and has now led them to the Top 14 final in each of his four seasons in charge, but until Saturday night he was as embroiled in their continual failures as any player that has ever pulled on the club's famous yellow and blue shirts.

Now, finally, he can kick back and laugh at all those 'chokers' headlines, dismissing talk of a 'curse' and look forward to a whole year (at least) of his team deservedly being described as champions.

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They did it the hard, that's for sure, but they have now done it, and that is all the matters. At the 11th time of asking they finally lifted the Bouclier de Brennus, and in so doing became the first team to do so since the play-offs were introduced after finishing outside the top two.

Their narrow play-off wins against Racing-Métro 92 (by four points) and Toulon (after extra-time) displayed a new mettle, while their victory against Perpignan was littered with standout performances from a collection of individuals self-evidently playing for the good of the team.

"It's a great feeling," admitted Cotter afterwards. "This is the culmination of four years of work and a dream for everyone," he added.

Club captain Aurélien Rougerie knows better than most the heartbreak involved in the club's previous failures having lost four finals himself, while his father Jacques was also a runner-up with the club back in 1970. Now he can rightly reflect on the knowledge that it was under his captaincy that the losing run was finally halted and he will be able to live out his days in Montferrand forever feted for that deed alone.

The 6ft 4ins international is the very epitome of Clermont Auvergne and he sported the broadest smile on the pitch as Saturday night's celebrations began to get into full swing.

"I'm happy, very happy," he admitted. "We have offered a gift to everyone. It's a feeling of satisfaction for us after dominating this final. We must enjoy the moment, share it with everyone who supports us around the club, directly and indirectly. With our families too, who suffer our way of life - and God knows that is not always obvious," he said after the win.

Like Cotter the club captain was at times lost for words to express his emotions, but he is clearly relishing the triumphant return to Montferrand that awaits today (Sunday). "I think we need to go to Clermont to really realize what we have done," he said. "We have made so many efforts to live this moment," he added.

And while many thought Clermont's previous defeats would prove inhibitive Rougerie said they had brought the squad closer together. "All these factors have formed a team of character, with pride, with guys who really want to do something. Everyone took his responsibilities during the match and there were 23 captains on the field. It's magical," he said.

No-one will argue with that, not even Perpignan coach Jacques Brunel who admitted the better team had won on the night. He must now re-gather his troops as they push to reach a third successive final next season. He will do so against a backdrop of bitter disappointment after the Catalans slipped to their ninth final defeat in 16 appearances. 

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