Fitting conclusion to a remarkable campaign

ANALYSIS:A combination of physical ferocity and fierce determination was too much for Stade Toulousain, writes Warren Gatland.

IT'S NOT how a team wins but the ability to win when the pressure is at its most intense that defines a success. After all it is not the gift wrapping but the content that's important. Munster thoroughly deserved to win because they played with integrity of purpose and a fierce determination.

They threw down a challenge to Toulouse, physically and mentally, and on this particular Cardiff afternoon, the French side were incapable of responding in kind. It doesn't matter that the game was not a rip-roaring spectacle because a cup final is all about securing the trophy. To use a soccer analogy, Munster's triumph was based on a 1-0 scoreline: they made few mistakes, defended aggressively and played the percentages.

They strangled the life out of Toulouse, suffocated them to the point where body language and gestures in that endgame revealed just how dispirited Toulouse had become.

I was really disappointed with how the French played; it was almost as if they believed their own publicity. But hype doesn't win matches.

Toulouse did not try to play the rugby of which they are capable. Part of that is down to Munster but it's also about attitude. I spoke about a number of key issues beforehand and one of them was the referee.

Welsh officials place a huge emphasis on not accepting backchat. They won't tolerate their authority being questioned; you either do your homework beforehand or you adapt on the pitch. Munster proved far more effective in this respect.

They also adopted the simple maxim that a team must play to its strengths. It was an outstanding performance from the forward pack. They fronted up on the day, none more so than Alan Quinlan and Donncha O'Callaghan.

Munster champion the basics of the sport and in this respect they overshadowed their opponents. They had the better of the lineout and, crucially, at a couple of scrums near the Toulouse line they forced a turnover, which indirectly led to their try while at the same time giving the opposing pack plenty to think about.

The core ingredients of their victory were defending intelligently and taking their opportunities. I don't think Munster managed to get into the Toulouse 22 for the first 25 minutes but in that period they only gave up three points. When a team enjoys a sustained period of dominance and is handed a meagre return, it has the twin effect of sowing seeds of doubt in the side that has had the possession and galvanising the one under the cosh.

In the context of the 80 minutes Munster kept their discipline better than their opponents, a crucial advantage in such a tight contest. They weren't going to hand the French side cheap points in that second half, nor were they going to undermine their hopes with self-doubt. In essence Munster weren't going to lose the game. Toulouse would have to win it.

For all their massive resources, the star players, the fire-power, the talent, Toulouse on Saturday barely mustered a fraction of the cohesion and flair of which they are capable. They lacked direction and control and seemed to fall between two stools in trying to chase the game. Too often they kicked away possession or failed to protect the ball in contact. It took a moment of individual brilliance by Cédric Heymans to offer a solitary snapshot of their counter-attacking virtuosity.

The atmosphere in the stadium was wonderful but aside from the actual scoring moments, the supporters were for the most part left to cheer a good kick, a lineout steal or a great tackle; there was relatively little open play.

There was one other player that stood out for me: Tomás O'Leary. Having excelled in the quarter-final against Gloucester, he suffered a little against Saracens, but on Saturday I thought he was excellent in kicking, passing and decision making.

A year ago Irish rugby might have wondered who would come through to challenge Peter Stringer. Eoin Reddan has, and now so too has O'Leary.

From one to 15 Munster were prepared to work harder than their Toulouse counterparts and that was the framework for the win. They fought for scraps, believing they had to earn everything that came their way and by extension expecting nothing. They ground their opponents down. Toulouse, in contrast, put the Irish under pressure only intermittently.

Munster have earned the right to be considered one of the truly great European clubs, up there alongside the team they beat. They also performed a massive service for Celtic rugby, one against the standard-bearers and the might of France and England. Once again it would be nice to think this win would have wider ramifications and filter through to the Test arena.

For now though Munster should enjoy reaching the pinnacle of European rugby in a remarkable campaign. It's fair to say that they did it the hard way, both in their route to the final and the rugby they produced in the Millennium Stadium endgame.