2006 Challenge Cup final: Gloucester Rugby 36 London Irish 34

Gloucester Rugby lifted the Challenge Cup at Twickenham Stoop in 2006 after overcoming London Irish in one of the most exhilarating finals the competition has seen.

Extra time was needed to separate the two English sides, with James Forrester’s stunning solo try in the additional 20-minute period securing Gloucester’s maiden EPCR title.

Gloucester’s Mark Foster streaked in for the opening try of the game on 11 minutes after Barry Everitt had struck twice from the tee for London Irish. Ryan Lamb’s conversion handed the Gloucester the lead before he added a penalty with a quarter of an hour gone.

London Irish then failed to capitalise on a series of opportunities, allowing Andy Hazell to power over for Gloucester’s second and extend their advantage.

But Irish would hit back three minutes later as Delon Armitage claimed an up-and-under and crossed for his eighth try of the Challenge Cup campaign, Everitt’s extras reducing the gap to two points.

Gloucester would go into the break 18-13 up after Lamb struck again from the tee, though an Everitt drop-goal four minutes after the restart cut the gap once again.

Ludovic Mercier came on for Lamb early in the second half and notched two penalties before the hour mark, either side one three-pointer from Everitt.

James Simpson-Daniel then looked to have sealed victory for Gloucester when he intercepted a speculative Bob Casey pass to run in from 50 metres, Mercier’s conversion putting his side 31-19 to the good.

However, Irish produced a sensational final 10 minutes as Olivier Magne and Robbie Russell both crashed over, the second score on 78 minutes handing Everitt, who converted the first, a potential match-winning conversion.

But his 100% kicking record came to an end at the crucial moment as his effort drifted well wide, sending the game into extra time.

An Everitt penalty seven minutes into the additional period, taking his personal tally to 19 points, put Irish ahead, but in a dramatic finish, Forrester dived over inches inside the dead-ball line for the decisive score.

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.