Toulon 29 Leinster 14
Leinster bowed out of the Heineken Cup with an uncharacteristic whimper at Stade Felix Mayol after a sloppy, inaccurate performance proved costly against defending champions Toulon.
And with them went Brian O’Driscoll’s hopes of a fourth European crown, ahead of his retirement at the end of the season.
Between them these teams had lifted the trophy four times in the last five years yet this was their first meeting in the tournament.
Wilkinson kicked Toulon into a 6-0 lead though it was only some desperate Leinster defending that prevented it from being more. Toulon, roared on by their vociferous support at the sun-drenched Stade Felix-Mayol, began at a thunderous pace, led by Mathieu Bastareaud. The powerful French centre was twice involved in the build up to the first of Wilkinson’s penalties inside four minutes after Juanne Smith went close.
Wilkinson then put David Smith through and only a crucial interception by Rob Kearney prevented a score. That was to prove a recurring theme during the first half as Toulon were knocked off their stride by Leinster and wasted several chances.
Giteau evaded Rhys Ruddock, Mitchell broke clear and twice Craig Burden made inroads but all came to nothing amid catalogue of handling errors. More mistakes also resulted in Wilkinson, forced to clear the danger following a dropped pass and blocked kick, trudging off injured in the 28th minute following a heavy collision.
And Jimmy Gopperth’s two kicks ensured Leinster went in level 6-6 at half-time amid a chorus of whistles and boos from the restless home crowd.
Jeers turned to cheers when Toulon burst into a 10-point lead just five minutes into the second half. Giteau struck from close to the halfway line, having missed an earlier effort from a similar range. The former Wallaby then followed another searing break by livewire hooker Burden.
Smith and Danie Rossouw were stopped short before prop Chiocci crashed over from close range. Gopperth clawed back three points but the game turned once Toulon made their passes stick. Rossouw disrupted a Leinster lineout that had been erratic throughout and Steffon Armitage hacked ahead. The English number eight showed tremendous pace to win the foot race and Bastareaud crashed through three tackles before Mitchell shrugged off Gordon D’Arcy to score a vital try on 62 minutes.
Giteau converted and Delon Armitage added a penalty from the halfway line as Toulon established a commanding 26-9 lead.
Leinster showed their mettle when they responded with a well-worked try — Murphy was bundled over from a lineout drive five metres out 10 minutes from time. However, Ian Madigan missed the conversion from the touchline and Toulon remained just out of sight. The hosts ended the game with 14 men when Florian Fresia was binned for a dangerous tackle on Reddan yet it was they who had the last word.
Kearney’s tackle denied David Smith a score but Giteau followed with his fourth kick to settle the tie in the final minutes.
