Heineken Cup finalists Toulouse will aim to put their Cardiff 2008 defeat behind them this Saturday with a French championship title win.
Three-time Heineken Cup winners Toulouse will play their second major final of the season when they face 2007 European Challenge Cup winners ASM Clermont Auvergne in the final of the Top 14 French championship at a packed Stade de France on Saturday evening (8.45 local time).
Clermont, despite having reached eight previous finals, have yet to lift the "Bouclier de Brennus" and will be hoping to end their unfortunate run on Saturday and go into the match as favourites.
Clermont captain Aurélien Rougerie is conscious that Saturday will define Clermont's season.
"Our semi-final victory over Perpignan last weekend was not an end in itself. We have one more game on Saturday in Paris and we have to win this one. We feel more relaxed going into the final this year, than last season's final which we lost to Stade Français Paris, we have more experience now. " said the France wing.
Its seven years since Toulouse last won the French championship, a long wait time for a club that has won the title16 times and picked up three Heineken Cup wins. Despite having never won a final, Clermont's recent form over Toulouse has been good and the Yellow and Blues have beaten Toulouse the last three times they met including the 2007 semi-final.
Toulouse and France back row Thierry Dusautoir believes Clermont have a psychological advantage on Saturday.
"When you look back at the season, Clermont have a psychological advantage over us. They beat us both times we meet this year and their players have impressed with their unity and their hunger to win this title." said the 27 years old.
Toulouse fly-half Jean-Baptiste Elissalde is slightly more positive about Toulouse's chances and explains that favourites don't always win finals.
"Clermont have dominated the championship this season but anything can happen in one game. Each game has its own story, especially when the game is a final."
