The Clermont Auvergne fly-half Brock James believes fears that big-spending clubs in the Top 14 will dominate the European Cup on the back of a second all-French final in three seasons are misplaced.
Toulon, the holders, face Clermont Auvergne at Twickenham on Saturday in a repeat of the 2013 final, which was held in Dublin. Toulon are attempting to become the first team to win the tournament for three consecutive seasons having signed some of the most successful players in world rugby, while Clermont are looking for a first triumph.
The last time an English club won the European Cup was Wasps in 2007 but three Premiership sides have contested the final since then and Saracens were close to defeating Clermont in this month’s semi-final in Saint-Etienne, 11 months after losing the final to Toulon in Cardiff.
“I am not sure there is a gap between the French league and the other two,” said James, one of three survivors in the squad from the side who defeated Bath in the 2007 Challenge Cup final. “The two semi-finals just gone were both closely fought and came down to a try either way. Leinster remain one of the best teams in Europe while Saracens have been there or thereabouts for the last few years.”
It may be an all-French final but it will be a multi-national affair. England’s Steffon Armitage and Nick Abendanon will be out to define what the exceptional circumstances are in England’s policy of not considering players who are based outside the Premiership, the Welsh Lions Leigh Halfpenny and Jonathan Davies will likewise be on opposite sides and Toulon have a spray of players who have won the World Cup, including the second-rows Bakkies Botha and Ali Williams, who are both retiring at the end of the season.
“We know Toulon well and they have been successful,” said James, a 33-year old Australian who has spent most of his professional career in France. “We set out at the start of the year to do well in the European Cup and, while we lost in the final two years ago and were well beaten by Saracens in the semi-final at Twickenham, those matches are in the past.
“We have a number of new players and coaches and we are on a new adventure. We will have no demons from last year at Twickenham and we have been building all season. Nick has been superb all season, adding to our back division and making you wonder why he did not play for England more in the preceding years, and Jonathan Davies has hit his straps from the Six Nations.”
He added: “It does not look as if Twickenham will be full but our supporters always make their presence felt. What struck me as soon as I joined the club was the passion people in the area have for rugby and, while it took us 99 years to win the Top 14, we have to ensure their wait for the European Cup is not as long.”