Gethin Jenkins has become only the ninth Welsh rugby player ever to win the Heineken Cup.
His club side, Toulon, came from behind in the all-French final to the lift the trophy. But it meant disappointment for fellow Welshman Lee Byrne as Clermont were beaten 15-16.
The Ospreys have lost in the final minute to Italian side Treviso in their final Heineken Cup game of the season. Tom Isaacs got the Welsh side's only try. They were already out of the competition but went down 17-14, this time right at the death, to end a miserable European campaign.
There were contrasting emotions for the Blues and the Scarlets yesterday. Both went into their final Heineken Cup pool games having no chance of qualifying, and looking just to avoid a whitewash. The Blues managed it, the Scarlets did not.
The Llanelli side conceded three tries in the first half. Despite an improved performance after the break, the damage had already been done. Clermont were then able to get their fourth try, and secure their bonus point.
– Simon Easterby, Scarlets Head CoachWe conceded 24 points in the first half and they did not have to work for a huge amount of those points. Any team where you conceded 24 points is going to be difficult, but a team like Clermont you dig a real big hole for yourself. It's frustrating. We just fed them too much in the first half. I think it was 70 per cent possession against and 70 per cent territory. We just need to be far more accurate. They scored off an intercept and fed off our mistakes. They are a quality outfit. We gave them too much of a head-start and gave them too much they didn't have to work for.
Cardiff Blues broke their duck for the season in the competition, beating Sale 26-14 at the Arms Park. It meant they could end their European campaign on a high.
– Phil Davies, Cardiff Blues Director of RugbyIt was very important to get the victory. It's not very pleasant losing six games in the Heineken, I can tell you. That was good today. We got the result and we haven't finished bottom of the table, which is just reward for all the hard work we've put in. We've played some good rugby during the first five games and not had many rewards for it. That was a pleasing way to finish. I was quite pleased with the perseverance and commitment of the players.
The Scarlets finished their Heineken Cup campaign without a win, as they were humbled by French side Clermont Auvergne on Saturday night.
Tries from Napolioni Nalaga, Morgan Parra, Benson Stanley and Aurelien Rougerie took Clermont to a 29-0 win at Parc y Scarlets.
Cardiff Blues have beaten Sale 26-14 to record their first Heineken Cup victory of the season.
Wales scrum-half Lloyd Williams scored a fine individual try, and set up another - for lock Michael Paterson - while Leigh Halfpenny kicked 16 points. Sale scored tries through Tommy Taylor and Aston Croall.
The game was only able to go ahead after Blues supporters joined in efforts to clear snow off the Arms Park. There was nothing at stake in terms of qualification for the knockout stages, with both sides already unable to progess.
The Cardiff Blues went into the match knowing the wouldn't qualify for the Quarter finals of the Heineken Cup. Tries from Halfpenny, Cuthbert and Hewitt couldn't pave the way for a win.
The side were overwhelmed by their French hosts who scored six tries in the game.
Cardiff Blues outside-half Jason Tovey was left grounded as his team mates headed to France for their Heineken Cup clash after his puppy ate his passport.
The 23-year-old was packed and ready to fly when he found his chewed-up passport on his bedroom floor.
He said: "Buster is always chewing things but usually it's my sock and shoes. As soon as I saw the passport I thought I'd never get through airport security with it.I was dreading telling my team coach, I didn't think anyone would believe me."
Tovey was due to line up with his team against Toulon tomorrow, but thanks to the labrador pup he's now facing a £103 bill for a new passport ready for his teams next match abroad.
Leigh Halfpenny will get his first start after the neck injury sustained during Wales 12-14 loss to Australia in the Autumn Internationals when the Blues meet Toulon in the Heineken Cup tomorrow.
The Blues have made four changes for the game, which is effectively a dead tie with the Blues unable to reach the competitions quarter final stage.
Halfpenny replaces Jason Tovey at full back while Gavin Evans has recovered from a back injury and Alex Cuthbert from a facial injury to start in place of Owen Williams and Richard Smith.
There is only one change in the forwards with James Down replacing Bradley Davies who remains at home ahead of the birth of his first child over the weekend.
Cardiff Blues Director of Rugby Phil Davies said,
“Physically we are going into the Toulon match in the best shape we have been in as a group. The progress we have made from when we started back in June is quite staggering.
"I am confident, especially after the good results of the last few games that we are in the best place to be going out to face the Top 14 side.
“We need to go out there and make sure we front up physically and when we have the ball we get over the gain line.”
RC Toulon v Cardiff Blues
Saturday 12 January 2:35pm kick off (local time)
Robin Copeland 7. Sam Warburton 6. Josh Navidi (c ) 5. Lou Reed 4. James Down 3. Beniot Bourrust 2. Rhys Williams 1. Sam Hobbs
Kristian Dacey 17. Nathan Trevett 18. Scott Andrews 19. Macauley Cook 20. Luke Hamilton 21 Gareth Davies 22. Ceri Sweeney 23. Owen Williams
Exeter have beaten the Scarlets 30-20 in this afternoon's Heineken Cup match.
The Blues have made two late changes ahead of this evening's game against Montpellier with Lou Reed and Marc Breeze withdrawing from the squad
Macauley Cook moves from the bench to start in the second row for tonight's Heineken Cup match against Montpellier instead of Reed.
Luke Hamilton moves onto the bench at number 19 in his place. Marc Breeze leaves the bench and is replaced by Kristian Dacey at 16.
