25 May 2013

Toulon dethrone French champs

2:43 pm on 25 May 2013

Toulon have ended Toulouse's reign as French Top 14 rugby champions with a 24-9 semi-final victory that's kept the newly-crowned European champions on track to complete a double.

Toulon streaked clear in the second half with veteran English first five eighths Jonny Wilkinson ending the game with 14 points.

Toulouse, who beat Toulon in last year's Top 14 final, were well in touch at the break, trailing only 8-6, and just three minutes into the second period they took the lead when former All Black Luke McAlister landed his third penalty of the evening.

However, that was the last impression the four-time European champions would make on the scoreboard as Toulon notched 16 unanswered points to romp into the final against either favourites Clermont or Castres, who play on Sunday.