2007 Challenge Cup final: ASM Clermont Auvergne 22 Bath Rugby 16

Clermont lifted the Challenge Cup for the second time after seeing off Bath in a pulsating final at Twickenham Stoop.

A tense first half produced just nine points, with Bath taking the advantage into the break courtesy of two Olly Barkley penalties to one from Clermont’s Brock James.

The French side failed to capitalise on lengthy spells of pressure and ended the first 40 minutes with 14 men after Sam Broomhall was sin-binned.

Once back to their full complement following the restart, Clermont turned the screw and crossed three times in 15 minutes to put one hand on the trophy.

Julian Malzieu powered in from 30 metres after good work from Anthony Floch on 43 minutes, before Tony Marsh crossed out wide, James adding the extras to the first of those two efforts.

James then took his personal haul to 12 points as he dotted down and converted on 59 minutes, creating the score with a clever chip over the Bath defence.

The English side threatened a late comeback when Joe Maddock went over for a stunning solo try with just over an hour gone and Barkley slotted a penalty on 75 minutes.

A converted score would have been enough for Bath, but they couldn’t hammer their way through the Clermont rearguard and the Challenge Cup returned to French hands for the first time since 2000.

With the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium set to host the Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup finals in May 2024, we’re taking a look back at some of the most thrilling showpiece games London has staged over the years.