2021 Heineken Champions Cup final: Stade Rochelais 17 Stade Toulousain 22

Stade Toulousain became the first side to lift EPCR’s top prize five times when they defeated domestic rivals Stade Rochelais at Twickenham Stadium in 2021.

A fascinating tussle was defined by a red card for Levani Botia on 27 minutes, which ultimately left Ronan O’Gara’s side with too much to do in their maiden Heineken Champions Cup final.

The two sides were level when Botia was dismissed for a high tackle, with Ihaia West hitting the target with two penalties from three for La Rochelle and Romain Ntamack striking twice for Toulouse.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aR1Kwty2tI4

Toulouse then suffered a setback of their own on 31 minutes as Rynhardt Elstadt was sin-binned, and La Rochelle would claim victory in the first-half kicking battle as two more West efforts to one from Ntamack handed them a 12-9 lead at the break.

But Toulouse wrestled control in the second half, with Ntamack levelling the scores six after the restart following a second wayward kick from West.

After Cheslin Kolbe went close to the game’s opening try, Juan Cruz Mallía finally dotted down for Toulouse as he darted over following a brilliant pass from Ntamack, whose conversion extended the gap to seven points.

Ntamack then struck another three-pointer to seemingly put the game beyond the reach of 14-man La Rochelle, but there would almost be a dramatic late twist.

Tawera Kerr-Barlow got over after bruising work from the La Rochelle pack to leave Toulouse hearts in mouths, but West’s conversion struck the upright and bounced away.

Toulouse closed out the remaining minutes of a brilliant final to grab their record-breaking title.

With the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium set to host the Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup finals in May 2024, we’re taking a look back at some of the most thrilling showpiece games London has staged over the years.