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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
John Jones

Romain Ntamack leaves players in tears with last-minute 60m wonder try as Toulouse win final amid rapturous scenes

Romain Ntamack was the hero for Toulouse as they beat Ronan O'Gara's La Rochelle in the Top 14 final after the fly-half scored a stunning last minute try.

La Rochelle - who lifted the Champions Cup last month - looked well on their way to securing a historic double, as well as their first ever Top 14 title - after tries from Tawera Kerr-Barlow and Uini Atonio gave them a 22-26 lead heading into the dying moments.

But the fly-half conjured up a little bit of individual magic as he got on the end of a fizzing pass from teammate Antoine Dupont inside his own half before finding a gap in the La Rochelle defence and hitting the gas.

Shirking a tackle, Ntamack sliced through the defensive line as he raced deep into the opposition half, leaving four defenders for dead before diving over the line to win the game and spark rapturous scenes.

But while the fans in the stands went wild, the La Rochelle players who were moments away from glory couldn't hide their devastation as they burst into tears at the final whistle with those in red and black celebrating around them.

An enthralling contest at the Stade de France saw centre Santiago Chocobares cross first for Toulouse before Kerr-Barlow levelled the scores at 13-13 moments before half-time.

After the break, Atonio powered over as La Rochelle rallied in the second half, and they looked as if they were going to hold on for their first Top 14 title, but Ntamack had other ideas.

The win means that Toulouse extend their record number of Top 14 wins to 22, while the wait goes on for Ronan O'Gara and his side.

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