Will Greenwood expects a titanic clash in Saturday's Champions Cup final between Toulon and Clermont Auvergne at Twickenham.
The match-up sees Toulon attempting to win Europe’s top club trophy for the third straight season – but the first without Jonny Wilkinson. Clermont are bidding to lift the trophy for the first time, having lost to Toulon in their only final appearance two years ago, and twice in the semi-finals in recent years.
Clermont have often been the bridesmaids of French rugby, losing in three successive Top 14 finals from 2007, though they finally won it in 2010.
Sky Sports expert Greenwood believes that on form alone Clermont are favourites. But he says that the way Toulon’s galaxy of international stars have been fused to become a united, all-conquering team means the hat-trick is within their grasp.
"The team that has been most consistent in terms of form this year would be Clermont. Their quarter-final demolition of Northampton... it was a privilege to be on a touchline talking about it."
Will Greenwood
"There was always a lot of talk when Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal took over that the chequebook is coming out, it’s going to be a Fantasy XV," he told Sky Sports News HQ.
"Different coaches over the years seem to have removed that Floyd Mayweather ‘all about the money’ cache and made them come together, tight-knit, go away on the road, win some big knock-outs and find themselves in the final.
"It doesn’t matter how good you are – some of the world’s best individuals have never won World Cups, never won European titles. Toulon have got this tremendous belief in each other."
Australia fly-half Matt Giteau starts at fly-half for Toulon, and Greenwood says he will be a key figure.
“Giteau is playing at No 10, with Frederic Michalak finding himself on the bench. Michalak started the semi-final and got pulled off about 50-60 minutes into that game. So Giteau plays at 10 – that’s the position that Jonny Wilkinson obviously played in.
“Giteau is a great footballer. He has missed a lot of the season through injury. But he gives them that solidity and composure.
“At full-back there is Leigh Halfpenny, he will kick the points, so Giteau doesn’t need to worry about that.
“And of course there’s that back row of Chris Masoe, Steffon Armitage and Juan Smith coming up against a Clermont team that I think are destined at some stage to win this tournament.
“Clermont have an unbelievable side. Fritz Lee is back in the pack at No 8, just electric from the base. He doesn’t allow them to play slowly. They’ve got Nick Abendanon pushing for a World Cup spot.
“I argue all day with Stuart Barnes about the calibre of Brock James. He’ll tell me they have lost too many finals with him at fly-half. I argue that he is one of the most naturally gifted fly-halves the European Cup has ever seen. I hope he gets that opportunity to lift the trophy on Saturday.
“The team that has been most consistent in terms of form this year would be Clermont. Their quarter-final demolition of the English champions (Northampton) – 37-5 – it was a privilege to be on a touchline talking about it, commentating on it.
“Toulon though have these incredible big-game players. World Cup winners galore. And they have the t-shirt. They have that self-belief. They have the trophy in the cabinet.
“They are putting all the pressure on Clermont. Boudjellal, the owner, has come out and said that Clermont are the better team. They are playing on the fact that Clermont have lost big finals, Toulon have won big finals.
“The big challenge for Toulon is that Jonny Wilkinson is in retirement. He will be with us in the Sky Sports studio running his eye over both sides. Clearly he will perhaps have rose-tinted spectacles when it comes to Toulon. I will come at it from a Clermont perspective.”
Watch Toulon take on Clermont Auvergne live on Sky Sports 3, with coverage starting at 4pm on Saturday.
