Sitaleki Timani got the better of some former Wallabies teammates when Clermont defeated Toulon 22-16 to be crowned French rugby champions at the Stade de France in Paris.

The Top 14 final triumph was especially sweet for Clermont, who won their first title in 2010 but had lost four other finals in the competition in the past decade, and went down to England’s Saracens in the European Champions Cup final last month.

Giant lock Timani started in the Clermont team against a Toulon side featuring three former Australian teammates in fullback James O’Connor, winger Drew Mitchell and veteran playmaker Matt Giteau, who came off the bench.

Clermont went 13-0 up inside the opening half hour with a Morgan Parra penalty followed by a try by Fijian winger Alivereti Raka in a devastating counter-attack from deep in their territory.

Back-rower Damien Chouly fed centre Damian Penaud, who slalomed through the Toulon defence before feeding Raka to score, with Parra converting and then adding a penalty.

But Clermont had No.8 Fritz Lee sent to the sin bin for a high tackle and another Fijian winger, Josua Tuisova, brought Toulon back into the match with a try three minutes before halftime following a break by champion former All Black Ma’a Nonu.

Clermont went to halftime leading 16-10 after five-eighth Anthony Belleau converted Tuisova’s try for Toulon.

The teams traded penalties in the second half with Parra taking his points tally for the match to 15 as Clermont hung on under intense late pressure from Toulon.