Toulouse captain Emile Ntamack is looking forward to the Heineken Cup final as French rugby enjoys an European renaissance.

Against the odds, Toulouse and Perpignan won through to the final of the Heineken Cup by beating Munster and Leinster in their respective semi-finals.

This is the fist time in the history of the competition that the finalists have come from the same nation, and French international centre Ntamack is at the heart of the rugby revolution.

"To have two French clubs in the Heineken Cup final is an honour for French rugby - we have defied those who thought the English and Irish were the stronger nations," he said.

"The two rugby regions of Toulouse and Perpignan will really support their teams all the way now."

"We are not disappointed to meet Perpignan in the final. They took to the task very well and that is not an easy job at a full Lansdowne Road. They already proved in the quarter-final that they were capable of winning away and they achieved that again in Dublin.

Ntamack will have fond memories of the tournament, having been the first man to lift the trophy in the inaugural season in 1996 as Toulouse beat Cardiff 21-18 after extra time at the Arms Park in Cardiff.

Ntamack is the only survivor from that squad and has made 39 appearances for Toulouse during eight seasons of Heineken Cup rugby, scoring 21 tries.