Stade Toulousain completed a remarkable three-peat in the Top 14, defeating Union Bordeaux-Bègles 39-36 after 100 minutes of extraordinary rugby at the Stade de France on Saturday.
In what may go down as the greatest Top 14 final ever, it was Toulouse’s forward dominance and the unerring boot of Thomas Ramos that proved decisive in a dramatic overtime showdown.
With the score locked at 36-36 deep into extra time, Toulouse’s pack blasted through a Bordeaux breakdown to win a critical turnover penalty.
Ramos stepped up and calmly slotted the winning kick in the 100th minute to seal a record 24th French championship for the club.
The match was a back-and-forth affair from the opening whistle, with Bordeaux striking first through the boot of captain Maxime Lucu.
Ramos responded for Toulouse, and the teams traded blows throughout a frantic first half that ended 20-16 in Toulouse’s favor, after a try from Jack Willis capped off a rolling maul just before the break.
Anthony Jelonch and Willis crossed in the opening 40 for Toulouse, while Bordeaux hit back with a slick kick-and-chase try finished by Damian Penaud and steady goal-kicking from Lucu.
Bordeaux came flying out of the tunnel in the second half, with Jalibert slicing through for a superb try to put UBB ahead 23-20, but Toulouse hit back almost immediately.
Willis powered over for his second try, followed by another Ramos penalty after a yellow card to Pierre Bochaton for a high tackle on Thibaud Flament.
Despite trailing 33-23, Bordeaux rallied once again.
Petti finished a dazzling counter-attack in the 70th minute, and Lucu's late penalty sent the match into overtime tied at 33-33.
As fatigue set in, both sides struggled to land the knockout blow in extra time.
Ramos nudged Toulouse in front with a penalty in the 95th minute, only for Bordeaux to level again at 36-36.
But with just seconds remaining in the 100th minute, Toulouse’s forwards produced one final surge at the breakdown, winning a crucial penalty. Ramos, as he had done all night, stepped up and calmly delivered the final act of a truly epic contest.
Toulouse’s power game, deep bench and Ramos’s 24-point haul proved the difference in a match that saw both sides lay everything on the line.
Bordeaux, chasing a maiden title, was valiant but ultimately fell just short in one of the most memorable finals in French rugby history.