The Top 14 final is set, and it pits the competition's relentless champions against its most pragmatic challengers. Toulouse and Montpellier will meet at the Stade de France in Paris next Saturday after contrasting semi-final wins in Marseille.
Toulouse, chasing a record-equalling fourth straight title, were imperious. The 24-time French champions ran in 10 tries to crush Racing 92 71-17 — the largest winning margin in a Top 14 semi-final — with Antoine Dupont returning from a month out with a groin problem to score his seventh try of the season.
"We put in the ingredients to win from the start," fly-half Romain Ntamack told Canal+. "The job's not done yet though but we can be proud tonight. We'll do everything to claim a fourth consecutive title, we'll be as motivated as ever."
Dupont was given a standing ovation by the 67,000 crowd when he was withdrawn with half an hour to play. Tries from Teddy Thomas, Francois Cros, Emmanuel Meafou and Jack Willis had already put the holders 38-3 ahead at the break, Racing left chasing the game after yellow cards to Maxime Baudonne and Josua Tuisova.
Montpellier's route to the final was far grittier. The 2022 champions beat Stade Français 25-15 a day later, leaning on the boot of Argentina out-half Domingo Miotti, who kicked 17 points and set up the game's only try, finished by Australia full-back Tom Banks.
Playing his first match since May's Challenge Cup final win after a thigh injury, Miotti steered a forward-dominated effort built around in-form former England No 8 Billy Vunipola. Stade Français, who led 15-10 inside the opening quarter, were undone by their penalty count and had England winger Joe Marchant denied a try by the video referee in the final quarter.
The final carries a strong British and Irish flavour. Scotland fullback Blair Kinghorn reaches his third successive Top 14 final with Toulouse, who also field England flanker Jack Willis, while Vunipola anchors the Montpellier pack. Kinghorn has been rested by Scotland for the Nations Championship, making Saturday his last game of the season.
For Montpellier, the decider completes an unlikely double bid after their Challenge Cup triumph. For Toulouse, it is the chance to match the modern era's benchmark of four consecutive crowns. The six-time European champions start as favourites — but Ntamack's caution was deliberate. The job, as he put it, is not done yet.
