"Clermont's misery in finals continued as they were beaten for the ninth time in all, the fourth by Toulouse and the second year in a row." Huw Richards reports

It wasn't quite as cruel as last year, when they led until the 78th minute, but enough to evoke sympathy in the most insensitive watcher.

Toulouse were undoubtedly the better team, particularly in a second half that they dominated after going in for the break level at 10-10.

They were quicker, sharper and more imaginative. Their 17th title, extending their own record, and first since 2001 was well deserved. It compensated for losing the Heineken final last month and saved the inimitable Fabien Pelous from an unlikely hat-trick of losses after also going down as a candidate in the local elections.

The victory was also more comprehensive than the final scoreline suggested. It said much for Clermont's spirit that, with the match lost, they continued to attack after the final hooter had sounded and claimed a try through Georgian prop Davit Zirakhasvili.

But its irrelevance was shown by Toulouse players waving triumphantly to their supporters while they waited for Brock James to land the conversion.

Toulouse were comfortable enough in the final quarter to take off Pelous and Jean-Baptiste Elissalde, who had played for an hour in evident discomfort.

Yannick Jauzion moved in to partner Byron Kelleher, having by then done enough to remind us who - when on form - is the most formidable centre in Europe.

Toulouse had taken control in the third quarter. They should have scored twice - Kelleher taking the wrong option after a brilliant break, then a three on one overlap going astray because the ball-carrier, prop Daan Human, could not get his pass away - before Elissalde kicked them into the lead with a 54th minute penalty.

Then came a classic Toulouse try. Finau Maka, who had just replaced Thierry Dusautoir, forced his way out his own 22, several hands carried on and, after a pause in midfielf, Elissalde launched his backs towards the right.

Jauzion drew the cover, Yves Donguy tore down the right and full-back Maxime Medard timed his move in from the wing perfectly to wrongfoot the cover and cross. Elissalde kicked and, with a 10 point cushion, Toulouse were in control.

James cut it back to seven with 11 minutes remaining, but they offered no further threat before Maleli Kunavore landed a 77th minute score greeted by a roar from the Toulouse fans whose dimensions showed they knew it was the final blow. Valentin Courrent added another penalty before Clermont's final burst of defiance.

That the scores had been level at the break fairly reflected a first half full of endeavour and positive intentions, but short on real flow.

Clermont, whose blue and yellow-clad fans had made most of the pre-match noise, had an edge in territory which they attempted to drive home via the calculated cross-kicking of Australian outside-half Brock James while Toulouse - who started Elissalde after a week of uncertainty - sought to counter-punch with the ball in hand.

It was James, accompanied by the rhythmic clapping of Clermont's fans, who opened the scoring with a 12th minute penalty. But even then it was clear that Toulouse, with Yannick Jauzion a threat every time he handled, had plenty to offer going forward. Three minutes after James's penalty, Toulouse struck back emphatically.

They comprehensively disrupted a Clermont scrum near halfway, winning the put-in when play finally halted between halfway and the Clermont 22.

Number eight Shaun Sowerby drove off the back of the scrum, Byron Kelleher forced his way to within a couple of metres and hooker William Servat picked up to touch down by the posts. Elissalde converted and the words 'déjà vu' must have started echoing in Clermont minds.

Their quality was evident in their immediate riposte to this devastating setback. First centre Marius Joubert kicked ahead and chased, forcing Medard to concede a line-out five yards out. Clermont continued to press, James kicked ahead and the ball landed amid a pile-up of bodies in goal.

After pauses to clear the wreckage - with Clermont's Canadian lock Jamie Cudmore departing to the blood-bin - and consult video ref Daniel Gillet, referee Eric Darriere ruled that Clermont skipper Aurelien Rougerie had got the touchdown and James landed the conversion.

Elissalde brought the scores level with a 33rd minute penalty and missed two drop-goals before the break, but it was Clermont who came closest to claiming another try - former Toulouse player Benoit Baby knocking on Napolioni Nalaga's inside pass with a clear run to the line ahead of him after the Fijian wing had taken a James cross-kick at full tilt.