The China Mail - Mauvaka double inspires Toulouse to fourth-straight Top 14 in storm-impacted final

France front-rower Mauvaka crossed in a dominant first half to set the 25-time champions on their way before the game was stopped for 12 minutes just before the hour mark.

Toulouse's generation between 1994 and 1997 as well as Bordeaux 1904-1907 have also won the Bouclier de Brennus (Brennus Shield) in four consecutive seasons.

Montpellier, champions in 2022, were a different team after the break with Argentina centre Justo Piccardo and replacement fly-half Leo Coly crossing in their failed attempt at a comeback.

The game started in sweltering conditions with France experiencing record heat with temperatures reaching 34C at kick-off in northern Paris.

French president Emmanuel Macron whistled by the crowd as he entered the pitch to meet the players as part of the pre-match protocol.

Toulouse head coach Ugo Mola named Thomas Ramos on the bench after the goal-kicking full-back missed last Friday's 71-17 semi-final hammering of Racing 92 with a hamstring issue.

Antoine Dupont started after sitting out last season's nerve-wracking decider, won in extra-time over Bordeaux-Begles, with a serious knee injury and is expected to join France's Nations Championship early next week.

Montpellier boss Joan Caudullo kept the same matchday squad from last Saturday's 25-15 semi-final win over Stade Francais with in-form fly-half Domingo Miotti and No 8 Billy Vunipola starting.

By the first drinks break after a quarter of the game, Toulouse led 7-0 as Mauvaka strolled over 50m out dummying Donovan Taofifenua on his way after a subtle lineout move including Dupont.

Toulouse took control of the game and put one hand on the Bouclier de Brennus, first awarded in 1892, by half-time.

Mauvaka claimed his double from short range thanks to another Dupont pass before the half-back crossed himself to make it 25-6 after a break from full-back Blair Kinghorn, standing in for Ramos as Ntamack nailed a penalty.

Rain and a thunderstorm welcomed the teams back from the interval, which seemed to benefit Caudullo's side, owned by Syria-born billionaire Mohed Altrad.

They cut the score to 28-13 just before the hour as Justo Piccardo powered over before the 12-minute weather-enforced break.

Referee Luc Ramos ordered the players into the changing rooms for an extended drinks break, which also provided a spark for Montpellier.

With 16 minutes left Coly, a second-half replacement for Miotti, found space to score and his conversion made it 28-20 but they left themselves too much to do after a slow start to the game.

E.Lau--ThChM