The Twickenham Stoop was the stage for an all French Amlin Challenge Cup Final but despite the great talent on display, the game wasn't a classic.

Dimitri Yachvili slotted seven penalties to complete his team's tally whilst Jonny Wilkinson struck five from the kicking tee as well as one of his trademark drop goals which left his Toulon side three points short of the Biarritz's total.

The game was certainly not all it was cracked up to be with no tries or significant breaks even though both teams had brilliant talents in both forwards and backs.

After a handful of bulldozing early runs from Imanol Harinordoquy, referee Wayne Barnes awarded Biarritz with the game's opening penalty which Dimitri Yachvili slotted for a 3-0 lead.

It wasn't long before Wilko got his name on the scoresheet with a penalty goal four minutes after his opening miss to level the scores.

Biarritz wing Haylett-Petty made a nifty run through the Toulon twenty-two towards the end of the first quarter but a bone-crushing tackle from Palisson ended the attacking surge. Quick-ball from the ruck gave Barraque time to grubber but the ball reached touch before the Biarritz attackers could retrieve it.

Yachvili converted his second penalty goal to give his side the lead after a good stint of attacking play. Wilkinson levelled only for Yachvili to shoot another through the sticks for a 9-6 lead.

The penalty ping-pong continued for the remainder of the half with Wilkinson adding his third and Yachvili his fourth to make the half time score 12-9 to Biarritz.

The game's first brawl broke out after Wilkinson's early second half penalty when Toulon's Carl Hayman dangerously spear-tackled Ngwenya which led to the New Zealander's sinbinning. However, television replays showed the tackle was probably worth a red card.

The situation was worsened for Toulon when Steffon Armitage was sinbinned for entering the ruck from the side. This left the man in black and red with only thirteen men on the pitch and the opportunity for Biarritz to extend their lead to 18-12 with another Yachvili penalty. But Wilkinson clawed his side back into the fight with a penalty on the hour mark and brought the scores level with one of his famous drop goals.

Dimitri Yachvili was the hero for his side with the winning penalty despite tripping the Toulon scrum-half at the previous ruck.

Jonny Wilkinson lingered in the pocket awaiting the opportunity for a drop goal but when Biarritz were awarded with a penalty they kicked for touch and confirmed their Amlin Challenge Cup title.

Details:
Scores: 3-0 Yachvili pen, 3-3 Wilkinson pen, 6-3 Yachvili pen, 6-6 Wilkinson, 9-6 Yachvili pen, 9-9 Wilkinson pen, 12-9 Yachvili pen, 12-12 Wilkinson pen, 15-12 Yachvili pen, 18-12 Yachvili pen, 18-15 Wilkinson pen, 18-18 Wilkinson drop goal, 21-18 Yachvili pen,

Biarritz: 15 I Balshaw, 14 T Ngwenya, 13 J Barraque, 12 D Traille, 11 D Haylett-Petty, 10 J Peyrelongue, 9 D Yachvili; 1 Y Watremez, 2 A Heguy, 3 E Van Staden, 4 J Thion, 5 P Taele, 6 W Lauret, 7 B Guyot, 8 I Harinordoquy

Toulon: 15 B Lapeyre, 14 A Palisson, 13 M Bastareaud, 12 M Giteau, 11 D Smith, 10 J Wilkinson, 9 S Tillous-Borde; 1 E Lewis-Roberts, 2 S Bruno, 3 C Hayman, 4 C Samson, 5 K Chesney, 6 P Gunther, 7 S Armitage, 8 J van Niekerk

Yellow Cards: C Hayman (47 minutes), S Armitage (52 minutes)

HT Score: 12-9 FT Score: 21-18

Referee: W Barnes (RFU) Attendance: 9,376