It proved to be one of the most dramatic of all Heineken Cup finals. The fabulous attacking game of Clermont Auvergne floundered in the face of their own demons that they could not quite conquer.
The Lions are not going to have either Schmidt or Wilkinson. It may be that the chances of him touring disappeared the day he signed an extension on his Toulon contract. The club has been good to and for him and Wilkinson is not the sort to think selfishly about his own interests. Had he toured Australia in the wake of his gruelling end of season he would have struggled to return to Toulon's pre-season in the sort of condition he is paid to be in.
The man is rugby's consummate professional, with a clear understanding of concepts like loyalty which tend so often to disappear in the moneyed sporting world. He perhaps does not wish to say so but club comes before Lions because they are the people that pay his wages and treat him as well as they do. For such integrity alone he would deserve to be the ERC Player of the season.
Domestic deciders
The 'Big One' is over but there is still the matter of domestic trophies. Leicester play Northampton in what could be a classic encounter at Twickenham, although for that to happen I think the Saints will have to build an early lead as they did against Saracens. Leicester are playing and defending too well for that to happen.
If the Tigers dip below form, Northampton are generating the power to win but I wonder if a few of those demons that haunt Clermont might not take up residence in the Saints' skulls in the event of a close final. Leicester are the better team and should win but they cannot fall far below their best.
In Ireland, Leinster shoot for the Amlin-Rabo double against Ulster. Lions fans will be keeping a close eye on Brian O' Driscoll. So will Ulster's defence for that matter.
In the last few seasons Leinster have not returned to earth after Heineken wins to clinch the domestic leg. The Amlin is developing well but it is still not the Heineken and given a lesser or non-existent hangover they are favourites to beat Ulster, as they did in last season's Heineken final. It will be much closer this time around though. Last season I knew Ulster had no chance; that is not the case this time around. Like Leicester, Leinster have to play well to win.
Good luck to all the teams involved (and the French semi-finalists for that matter) and fingers crossed that all the Lions make the flight to Hong Kong. I head there next week and will take a break from the column but will be back in action when I touch down in Perth.
Stuart answers your emails...
Got a question for Stuart? Email him at skysportsclub@bskyb.com or use the feedback form below...
Stuart, what were you thoughts on Australia omitting Quade Cooper from their squad for the Lions series? He has been in great form for Queensland Reds - although I missed their defeat to the Cheetahs as my eyes were glued on events in Dublin! While I want a Lions whitewash I would prefer that to come against a full-strength Wallabies side. For me, that means Cooper starting at fly-half ahead of James O'Connor.
John Wood
STUART REPLIES: John, I am disappointed Cooper is not in the squad (although some extras are yet to be added) but you cannot really say they are not full strength without him if the coach deems him unsuitable. If he is fit and Deans does not want him, well that is different to say, George Smith being injured. Count your blessings, John.
Stuart, what are your thoughts on Saturday's Aviva Premiership final? Leicester certainly have the experience, although they have lost the two deciders. Do you think they'll avoid an unwanted treble and ensure Geordan Murphy's final act as Tigers captain is to lift the Premiership trophy?
Patrick Lowell
STUART REPLIES: I touch on this in the column and wrote a preview in the Sunday Times. I think Leicester will win and win well.
Stuart, it was great to see Niall Morris' form for Leicester recognised by Ireland, even if he has to settle for a place among the 'Emerging' squad that travels to Georgia instead of the senior tour of North America. However, it was equally disappointing to see Gareth Steenson overlooked after such a fine season for Exeter. Jonny Sexton and Ian Madigan are our two best fly-halves, but surely Steenson should be ahead of Paddy Jackson on current form?
Hugh Gilmartin
STUART REPLIES: On current form I agree but on current form he could be said to be unlucky not to be ahead of Owen Farrell. Current form is not the be all and end all of selection. If Gareth keeps his form for the first few months of next season, then it will get interesting.
Stuart, after the Six Nations Leigh Halfpenny looked a nailed-on starter for the Lions at full-back, but Rob Kearney has closed the gap in recent weeks. Could he snatch the No 15 jersey, or should the quality of opposition Leinster have faced in the Amlin Challenge Cup be taken into account?
Jonathan Murchie
STUART REPLIES: Jonathan, Halfpenny was my player of the Six Nations but never nailed on in my books for the Lions because I think Kearney is an even better player when they are both at the peak of their game. Saying the Amlin lacks quality is all well and good but the same can be said about the Six Nations, where the quality of the rugby only occasionally would have caused concern for Robbie Deans.
