British & Irish Lion Leigh Halfpenny admitted that winning the European Champions Cup with Toulon on Saturday was an achievement that will live long in the memory.
The full-back, man of the series for the Lions in their 2013 tour win over Australia, kicked 14 points as Toulon overcame their French counterparts Clermont at Twickenham.
Fellow Lion Jonathan Davies lined up in the centres for the opponents but it was Halfpenny who was celebrating come the final whistle as Toulon claimed Europe’s top honour for the third year in a row.
And Halfpenny admitted that victory made all the hard times worthwhile after he struggled with injury when making the initial move across the Channel from Cardiff Blues.
“This medal is why I made the move, this is what it’s all about, you want to be involved in games like this and what a performance by the boys, the character they showed at the end to keep Clermont was just outstanding, what a feeling,” he said.
“There was a nervous time at the end of there and could have made it a bit easier if I’d put that conversion over from that outstanding try by Drew Mitchell.
“But the character and the work rate the boys showed for each other at the end was just outstanding and just shows how much it meant to us, winning this trophy.
“These guys work hard day-in, day-out to lift the trophy for a third time, to create history is immense.
“Obviously injury as a player gets frustrating but it’s part of the game and you’ve just got to work hard to try and get back fit.
“Happily I was fit enough to be involved in a fantastic occasion and something I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”
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