'It's a child's dream come true... 15 years ago I watched Toulouse play finals on TV and today it is us'

Thomas Ramos has described Toulouse’s Top 14 triumph as a dream come through. Not since 2012 had the French giants ruled in their own domestic competition, but that gap was bridged on Saturday night when they defeated Clermont 24-18 in the decider at Stade de France.  

For Ramos, the 23-year-old who made his France debut this season, the victory was the realisation of a desire sparked in him when he was much younger. 

“It’s a child’s dream come true. Fifteen years ago, I watched on TV when Toulouse played the finals and today it is us. We look forward to Sunday in Place du Capitole – we must enjoy these moments and savour them because we do not know if one day we will come back here. 

“At the beginning of the season, yes, we thought we could go to the end. We have a full season, with records right and left. It’s deserved for us this year. 

“It is not disrespectful to Clermont, who played a big match and had a big season with a European title. But in our gym, the (honours) list of the club is displayed. You see it and we say ‘wow’… when we go back in July, we will see the 20th title and say that it is us. It is huge. I hope it will continue.”

#FinaleTOP14
La fête se poursuit dans les vestiaires ! ?? pic.twitter.com/Z2ujvHUlK9

— TOP 14 Rugby (@top14rugby) June 15, 2019

Clermont out-out-half Camille Lopez admitted his team had no complaints after losing their fifth Top 14 final in seven appearances since 2007.

“It’s deserved because they did a great game,” said Lopez in the aftermath of the crushing defeat. “But we were six points (behind) at the end. You’re not far but you have too many inaccuracies in your game. 

“We create opportunities, but we do not finish. We lacked efficiency and precision, especially to get out of our half… Toulouse were more precise and disciplined than us.”

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