Cardiff Blues had the opportunity to become the first Welsh side to pick up European silverware, but standing in their way were French powerhouses, Toulon, who were backed by a packed Stade Velodrome.
Cardiff Blues 28 RC Toulon 21
Sunday May 23 2010, 3.00pm, Stade Velodrome, Marseille
Jonny Wilkinson started proceedings at the home of Olympique Marseille - and the second home of the Toulon rugby side.
Cardiff Blues took an early 6-3 lead, after Leigh Halfpenny, Ben Blair and England international, Wilkinson, struck a penalty each.
The outside half brought the score back level, but Toulon struck for a crucial score on the verge of half time.
Sonny Bill Williams, having recently converted from rugby league to rugby union, spotted a mis-match in midfield, stepping past Taufa’ao Filise and Ma’ama Molitika, to touch down under the sticks.
The French outfit were dealt a huge blow in the early stages of the second half, as Wilkinson was forced off after pulling up with an injury following a penalty attempt.
Momentum swung towards Dai Young’s side, and a prolonged period of pressure on the Toulon line saw Richie Rees releasing Jamie Roberts for a score under the posts.
Blair converted to bring the scores level, and the Kiwi added another penalty to match Tom May’s effort.
A(nother) moment of magic from centre Casey Laulala gave Wales’ Capital Region a crucial score, as his dancing feet created space on the right. He shipped to Rush who showed great playmaking ability to put Halfpenny in at the corner.
Rush and Laulala were again at the centre of Cardiff Blues’ third try, putting their side on the front foot and allowing Bradley Davies to crash over.
Thomas Sourice touched down for a late consolation score for Toulon, but it wasn’t enough, as Cardiff Blues came out on top in a terrific encounter in the south of France.
Cardiff Blues kicked off their Heineken Champions Cup campaign with a stunning victory at Lyon, and will return to the Arms Park to take on Glasgow Warriors on Sunday.
Be there to support the boys! Tickets are available now and can be purchased by clicking here or calling 029 20 302030.
Cardiff Blues: Ben Blair; Leigh Halfpenny, Casey Laulala, Jamie Roberts, Chris Czekaj; Ceri Sweeney, Richie Rees; Gethin Jenkins, T Rhys Thomas, Taufa’ao Filise, Bradley Davies, Deiniol Jones, Ma’ama Molitika, Martyn Williams, Xavier Rush
Replacements: Gareth Williams, John Yapp, Scott Andrews, Paul Tit, Sam Warburton, Darren Allinson, Dai Flanagan, Dafydd Hewitt
RC Toulon: Clement Marienval; Gaby Lovobalavu, Tom May, Sonny Bill Williams, Jeremy Sinzelle; Jonny Wilkinson, Matt Henjak; Saimone Taumoepeau, Phil Fitzgerald, Davit Kubriashvili, Esteban Lozada, Ross Skeate, Joe van Niekerk, Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, Fotu Auelua
Replacements: Sebastien Bruno, Laurent Emmanuelli, Tim Ryan, Jocelino Suta, Thomas Sourice, Mafileo Kefu, Pierre Mignoni, Tana Umaga