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We take a trip down memory lane with the Match referee of the 1997 Heineken Cup final, Mr Derek Bevan...
"When I refereed the 1997 Heineken Cup final, not only was I proud, but I was pleased that it was being played in my own Country, and in Cardiff- the capital city of Wales.
'The two teams were Leicester and Brive. Two very contrasting sides, two sides that were sprinkled with international players, and both clubs had great traditions and great support.
'Leicester that day bought down thirty thousand spectators, the Brive contingent must have been close to twenty five thousand, so we had a full house and a very special atmosphere.
'As players were lining up in the tunnel, I could tell that expectations were high from both sides. They knew that they were part of something very special. The Heineken Cup final is the biggest club game in Europe.
'Leicester's captain on the day was the great number 8 Dean Richards. And Brive's captain was the French outside half Alain Penaud. Brive and Leicester were two contrasting sides with different game plans.
'Leicester's plan was to slow the game down by using their massive pack, and Brive, and Brive had such exciting fast backs that they wanted to spin the ball at every opportunity.
'Stars could be found all over the park in the 1997 Heineken Cup final. Centre for Brive that day was Christophe LaMaison. He played really well, and I think that was the game that helped him make his name.
'After that we went on to represent France on a regular basis after that game. You had an all England front row, Rowntree, Cockerill and Garforth were all very strong in the scrummage.
'Brives tactic was to move the ball to the backs as quickly as possible and get it out to their winger Sebastian Carrat. He was probably the quickest rugby player I have ever seen.
'He went on to run for France in the 100m, he scored two tries that day that not many other wingers in the world would have scored, and you must remember that he was being marked by Rory Underwood, who was no slouch himself!
'I think the Heineken now is a tournament that is comparable to the Super 12. It's given all our players an opportunity to play all the tops clubs and players in Europe- at the highest level possible. Next to an international, the Heineken Cup final is the next biggest game. It was immense, I was just honoured to be part of it.'
THE 1997 HEINEKEN CUP FINAL
31 January 1997 Cardiff Arms Park
BRIVE 28 LEICESTER 9
Half-time: 8-6
BRIVE: S Viars; G Fabre, C Lamaison, D Venditti, S Carrat; A Penaud (capt)(R Paillat 70), P Carbonneau; D Casadei (E Bouti 72), L Travers, R Crespy, E Alegret, G Ross (T Rees 67), L van der Linden (Y Domi 79), F Duboisset (T Labrousse 49), G Kacala
Scorers: Tries - S Carrat 2, S Viars, G Fabre; Conversion - C Lamaison; Penalty goal - C Lamaison; Drop Goal - C Lamaison
LEICESTER: J Liley; S Hackney, W Greenwood, S Potter, R Underwood (L Lloyd 74); R Liley, A Healey; G Rowntree, R Cockerill, D Garforth (P Freshwater 17-22), M Johnson, M Poole, J Wells, D Richards (capt)(E Miller 67), N Back
Scorer: Penalty goals - J Liley 3
Referee: W D Bevan (Wales)
