Yoann Huget admitted it was a dream come true after scoring two tries to help Toulouse claim their 20th Top 14 title in Paris on Saturday.
The France winger, who scored four tries in the 2019 Guinness Six Nations, went over once in each half at the Stade de France in a 24-18 victory over Clermont.
That was enough to earn Toulouse a 20th Bouclier de Brennus, and a first since 2012 as well as a maiden title for Huget.
The winger explained afterwards just how much it meant to him to be able to collect the trophy, while he was also named man of the match.
He said: “You have no idea how many times I have dreamed of going up those steps. You realise how hard it is to make it to the Stade de France and to win [the Bouclier]. The supporters were telling us every day about the title, all season long.
“The night before the final I closed my eyes and imagined myself going back to Toulouse with the Bouclier.”
Clermont had made the better start, with Greig Laidlaw slotting an early penalty but that was cancelled out by Thomas Ramos shortly afterwards.
The pair exchanged two more penalties before Huget went over for his first in the right corner, and Toulouse went in 11-9 ahead at the break.
With the teams still locked in an intense battle at 14-12 shortly before the hour, Huget went in for a second following a break by Antoine Dupont who was stopped just short.
Ramos’ conversion made it a two-score game, and although Clermont kept coming with Laidlaw scoring five penalties and Camille Lopez adding another, Toulouse held on for a deserved victory.
