The twin values of perseverance and patience come face-to-face in Paris tomorrow (Saturday) evening when Clermont Auvergne take on Perpignan for this year's Top 14 title - or Bouclier Brennus as it's called here.

Michelin-backed Clermont are hoping to end a nightmare run of losing finals when they seek to shed their 'perennial bridesmaids' tag and make it 10th time lucky. It seems inconceivable that a team can reach nine finals and lose them all, but that's Clermont's current record in Top 14 finals.

Top 14 Table / Top 14 Fixtures / Top 14 Transfers - The story so far...

Saturday's match will be their third final in succession - they lost  26-20 to Stade Toulousain last year and 23-18 to Stade Francais in 2007 - but confidence is high after seeing off defending champions Stade Toulousain 19-9 in last weekend's semi-final.

They have also been boosted by news that free-scoring Fijian winger Napolioni Nalaga should be ft to play as Vern Cotter's men finally hope to end their play-off hoodoo.

In their way stand Perpignan, the Catalan giants chasing their seventh title in total, but their first in 54 years.

The high-profile signing of All Blacks fly-half Dan Carter was supposed to underpin their challenge this season, but Perpignan had to overcome his loss to injury after just five games and have arguably become a tighter unit as a result. Instead of relying on the unquestioned skills of one of the game's best players they have been forced to draw deep on team spirit and unity as they overcame the shock of Carter's enforced absence.

That may ultimately have played in their favour as they found a self-confidence and consistency that saw them finish the regular season as table toppers, and then hold out against a determined Stade Francais to win last weekend's semi-final 25-21.

Clermont coach Cotter has been meticulous in his planning this season, even bringing in a psychologist to counter any negative thoughts after so many failures. Their relatively easy win over Stade Toulousain was based on sound discipline and a willingness to attack given the chance, and in Brock James they boast the division's most clinical place-kicker. The Australian fly-half even scored the game's only try in the semis and his form will be crucial to their chances of success in Paris on Saturday evening.

Nalaga's form could also be integral to the match's outcome with the prolific 23-year-old seemingly intent on rewriting the Top 14 record books. His season's haul of 20 tries is already two more than last year's 18 - a then record - but Perpignan's defence will be tested in all areas by a team that has scored more tries (81) and points (773) than any other in France this year.

Confidence is clearly coursing through the team, with the only real doubts about their prospects being the mental issue. If that really has been addressed then it could just be that Clermont will finally lift their first Brennus shield. Captain Aurélien Rougerie has set his heart on breaking their duck and one wonders what yet another defeat would do to their mindset for next season.

Perpignan captain Nicolas Mas says his side must put the brakes on Clermont early on if they're to have any chance of winning. "We know they start their matches very hard," he acknowledged. "In the first quarter of an hour we know they will want to put us under pressure by moving the ball all over the place, so we need to keep possession to avoid them using that tactic."

It was something they singularly failed to do the last time these two teams met (on April 25th), when a late rally from the Catalans helped them come back from 16-6 down with 15 minutes to go to win a cracking match 20-16 in front of their ecstatic home fans.

Perpignan have named un unchanged side from their semi-final win and will again be looking to in-form centre Maxime Mermoz to make the crucial gain-line breaks once their powerful pack has done its work.

Both sides have the potential to win and on paper it looks as even a final as you could possibly wish for. My hunch is that Clermont will finally lift the title that has proved so elusive for so long, bringing unbounded joy to Les Jaunards as they end one of sport's most unwanted records. A tenth defeat is surely too much to contemplate, and a victory for the country's most attack-minded team would be a welcome boost for positive rugby.

Verdict: Clermont Auvergne win