Perpignan 22 (6) Clermont Auvergne 13 (10)

Perpignan are the new champions of France, ending their 54-year wait to lift the Brennus Bouclier thanks to their 22-13 victory over Clermont Auvergne.

Full-back Jerome Porical was the Catalans' hero, kicking 14 points as he emulated his grandfather's victory for the 'sang et orr' back in 1938. He was ably assisted by centre David Marty, who scored a second-half try which lifted Perpignan into the lead for the first time in the match.

Clermont, meanwhile, will somehow have to come to terms with losing their 10th final out of 10, and their third in succession as they coughed up a 10-6 half-time lead.

Les Jaunards looked as if they were ready to end their play-off hoodoo when Fijian winger Napolioni Nalaga opened the scoring with his 11th-minute try - the 21st of the season for the prolific 23-year-old.

Australian fly-half Brock James added the conversion and was also on target again in the 20th minute when he slotted a penalty. Gavin Hume got Perpignan on the board with his 15th-minute drop goal, and the first of four Porical penalties further reduced the deficit right on the stroke of half-time.

Clermont's four-point lead was then erased by Marty's try five minutes after the restart, with Porical kicking the extras to lift the Catalans into the lead for the first time on the night.

At 13-10 it was anyone's game but Perpignan's increasing ascendency continued to force Clermont errors and Porical was on hand again to extend the lead with his second successful penalty five minutes later.

James gave Clermont renewed hope with his 55th-minute response but Perpignan's greater composure brought rich rewards with Porical landing a double knock-out punch with two further penalties in the 62nd and 64th minutes.

The nine-point gap forced Clermont to go for broke as the clock ran down, but unforced errors and a stout defence proved too great an obstacle as Perpignan held out for their first French title in 54 years.

It was just reward for an outstanding campaign by the Catalans, who finished the regular season in pole position despite losing All Blacks fly-half Dan Carter after just five games. The Kiwi No 10 was in the stands in Paris to watch his team-mates finish the job he was brought in to complete and the party is bound to be long and hard as Perpignan can finally add to their previous wins of 1914, 1921, 1925, 1938, 1944 and 1955.

The wait will seem worthwhile tonight down on the Spanish border, but Clermont's pain must be almost too much to bear. Ten defeats in 10 finals is a record no-one will envy, and Vern Cotter's team must now somehow come to terms with yet another failure at the final hurdle.