WATCH: Romain Ntamack wins Toulouse Top 14 with last gasp solo try for the ages
Ronan O’Gara must have thought that he was about to win an elusive Heineken Champions Cup and Top 14 double on Saturday night at the Stade de France, and do you blame him?
La Rochelle were leading the contest 26-22 with just minutes remaining against Toulouse, and after closing out another tight affair against Leinster just a few weeks ago to win the European title, few would have bet against them doing the same against the French giants. Things were looking even more promising as their strong defense continued to march Toulouse back in their own half.
Enter Antoine Dupont and Roman Ntamack. The duo combined to score a late try to deliver the title to Toulouse, although the majority of the work was down to the fly half. After Dupont had picked him out in his own half, Ntamack glided through a number of La Rochelle players to give himself a clear 50 metre run to the try line to score one of the all-time great Top 14 final tries and in the most pressurized of situations.
What made this even more incredible was that just minutes before, Ntamack was missing a penalty kick to touch in what looked like it could have been a game deciding error. Well, he totally redeemed himself in the final seconds of the match as Toulouse went on to win their 22nd French title.
Despite winning The Champions Cup two years running, La Rochelle will still need to wait for that double which O’Gara craves.
Take a look at the try:
Big-time players stand up in big-time moments!
Roman Ntamack, take a bow!#STSR #Top14 #LaRochelle #Toulouse #Rugby #Top14Finale #RomanNtamack pic.twitter.com/YEyxqwHDVb
— Philip Bendon (@PBendon) June 17, 2023