Heineken Cup Final Reaches Even Greater Heights

The technical wizardry and brilliance belonged to Toulouse.

Their brand of constant off-loading was a vivid reminder that the old ways should not be discounted simply because they are old.

Wasps' organised defence was shredded but individual heroism, from Joe Worsley and Simon Shaw, in particular, bailed them out.

Luck went the way of Wasps and some poor selection, notably at fly half and right wing also aided Wasps cause. If the mark of a great team is to win when the odds are stacked against them and the opposition are at peak form - a few players aside - Wasps won the Heineken Cup and displayed signs of greatness.

It was undoubtedly a great match.

Wasps, with an English title last for the past two seasons and now the European champions, join Leicester among the ranks of great English teams of the professional era.

The finish to the Parker Pen final was equally thrilling although the match was a shadow. Again the technically superior team lost, again pluck and tenacity were rewarded. For Harlequins a trophy and qualification for next season's Heineken Cup is some reward.

It has surpassed Super Twelve as the pre-eminent non-international tournament.