Arguably England's 2 best back-rows to lock horns in Top 14 Final

Stade Toulousain and Montpellier HR are just a few days away from finding out which of the two will take the Top 14 trophy home, with several UK players set to be involved in what’s expected to be a game for the ages.

With Jack Willis and Blair Kinghorn ready to help Ugo Mola’s Toulouse reach a 25th Bouclier de Brennus, in what would be their 4th consecutive title, Montpellier are bringing Adam Beard, Ali Price and Billy Vunipola to the Stade de France, hellbent on putting an end to Les Rouge et Noir’s reign.

But who holds the edge going into the final? Is Toulouse back to full power and ready to extend their dominance for another season? Or could this mark the dawn of a new era of triumph and celebration for Montpellier?

If we look only at the head-to-head record, it would be impossible not to say that Toulouse have an overwhelming advantage, having won seven of the last eight encounters, the most recent coming last March (45-29). However, Montpellier’s only victory over the past five years came this season, when Joan Caudullo’s side dismantled the defending champions 44–14.

In that match, even though Montpellier came out on top, Jack Willis produced a stronger performance than Vunipola, tallying three jackals, beating four defenders, and producing two offloads.

Fixture

Top 14

Toulouse

28 - 20

Full-time

Montpellier

All Stats and Data

Despite that, Vunipola’s form skyrocketed from December onwards, establishing him not only as a key figure in Montpellier’s physical dominance but also as a fan favourite and a symbol of the club’s recent resurgence. The 33-year-old and 2019 World Cup runner-up featured in 22 games, totalling 190 effective tackles (80% success rate), one try, six turnovers, and three line breaks, numbers that have helped solidify his place in the starting line-up.

In a recent interview, Vunipola explained how moving to Montpellier in 2024 has helped him regain his past strength, looking energised and ready to help the club add more silverware to their trophy cabinet.

“It’s the sun in Montpellier, honestly, it’s given me a new lease of life. (…) And the challenge is to try to help this team win things and do better than they did two years ago. It’s been a great challenge. I’ve enjoyed it.”

Vunipola played a crucial role in the Challenge Cup final, bagging a try and leading the forward pack on their way to trample Ulster 59-26.

The question now is whether Montpellier and Vunipola can deliver a performance of the same calibre against a Toulouse side that appears to have woken up after a perplexing few months in which they conceded five defeats in eleven games.

The Rouge et Noir’s top spot in the Top 14 regular season was never in doubt, with their main challenge stemming from inconsistent displays by key players and a string of injuries that disrupted their form and cohesion.

However, even when the team seemed far from its best level, Jack Willis was always there, looking as menacing and pivotal as ever. Beyond the six tries scored, 15 jackals, seven line breaks and an 87% tackling success rate, Willis’ hunger to keep Toulouse at the top is unquenchable, inspiring his teammates every step of the way.

Last October, the England international was named the LNR’s Top 14 Player of the Season, a further testament to the immense impact he has had in helping Toulouse maintain their dominance over the past four years.

On the For the Love of Rugby podcast, Willis expressed his love for the club, even if it came at the cost of not featuring for England since leaving the country in 2022.

“I don’t regret my decision to stay here. I think the way it came about at Wasps – I didn’t choose to leave England, but I chose to stay. I love it here, and I chose to stay; that’s the first thing. I don’t regret that.”

“I think there will always be part of me that thinks there was a bit more to give, but I also don’t regret my decision. This club is an incredible place to play at, and the rule is the rule, and you have to make peace with that.”

Although Willis hasn’t achieved the same number of jackals as last season (28, a competition record), the 29-year-old is part of the engine that keeps the Toulouse machine going and will be vital in preventing Montpellier’s pack from dictating terms on Saturday.

Statistics for Jack Willis and Billy Vunipola in matches between Stade Toulousain and Montpellier:

The battle between Vunipola and Willis, two former England teammates, will make the headlines come Saturday, but unsung heroes like Blair Kinghorn and Ali Price can play a crucial role.

The scrum-half, in particular, could prove to be the biggest wildcard in how the match unfolds, acting as the unseen force that enables Montpellier to build momentum and reach formidable heights – his stellar performances vs UBB (23–21), Section Paloise (26–18), and Stade Français (25–15) fit this narrative.

With the chessboard set, it is time for each piece to make its move and provide Top 14 fans with another glorious final at the Stade de France. Will it be Willis keeping Toulouse on its pedestal as champions? Or will it be Vunipola steering Montpellier towards their second Bouclier de Brennus?