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World Cup-winning fly-half Jonny Wilkinson said he classed a first Heineken Cup triumph as one of his greatest achievements.

Wilkinson kicked 11 points in a 16-15 win over Clermont Auvergne as Toulon won a first major trophy in 20 years.

"I've been to lots of things with a lot of great people and this ranks up there at the very top," the 33-year-old said.

"It's written in history. We've worked so hard together. It takes everything you've got. It's such a good feeling."

It looked like Clermont were going to win the all-French final comfortably, but Toulon came back from 16-5 behind thanks to a Delon Armitage try and the trusted Wilkinson.

The Englishman, whose late drop-goal in 2003 and who turned down the opportunity to tour Australia with the British and Irish Lions this summer to concentrate on the conclusion of Toulon's season, kicked three penalties and one conversion.

He also charged down an attempted David Skrela drop-goal in the final two minutes to prevent Clermont snatching victory.

"I've been to a few finals and that's not written up there on the board - you don't get the big kudos for losing finalist," added Wilkinson, twice a losing finalist in the Amlin Challenge Cup.

"It's a great thing to go through with an incredibly genuine and fantastic bunch of guys.

"They attacked so well, with such threatening players. We did go back a few yards but kept in there.

"At 15-6, I was saying to the boys 'one try and we're back'. We got the penalty and the breakaway try did it for us."

Clermont dominated territory and possession and looked set to inflict defeat on their big-spending French rivals when Napolioni Nalaga and Brock James scored in quick succession in the second half.

But Toulon's masterful defence, and Wilkinson's radar, was enough to reward Mourad Boudjellal for his vast investment in the Mediterranean team.

The Toulon owner has assembled a squad packed with stars, from Wilkinson to Australian centre Matt Giteau and giant forwards Andrew Sheridan, Bakkies Botha and Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe.

"This is my world now, this team, this game," said Wilkinson.

"We're right down there in the south and there are various rumours about how people are signed but it's just a bunch of guys trying to make it work for a brilliant region and club.

"Everyone's so proud, not for themselves but for each other."