The most famous episode in European Cup history, Clément Poitrenaud somehow allowed Rob Howley to win the European Cup for Wasps. Photo: PA/David Davis
When Wasps arrived at Twickenham on Sunday 23 May 2004 for their first European Cup final, they were just getting started. Warren Gatland's side had won their first Premier League trophy a season earlier, but by the time that dynasty collapsed Wasps had won four domestic titles in six seasons and two Heineken Cups.
But at Twickenham in May In 2004, Wasps had the chance to prove that they were not a one-goal wonder, that they had the potential to become giants on the European rugby scene. The club, which sadly no longer exists, then based in High Wycombe, ran into their first Heineken Cup final against Toulouse – the reigning European champions – as underdogs.
It wasn't that Wasps didn't have world-class players – Josh Lewsey, Stuart Abbott, Lawrence Dallaglio, Joe Worsley and Simon Shaw had recently returned from winning the World Cup with England – but Toulouse matched them. Only one name in the French aristocrats' starting line-up was not an international, and it boasted some of the most skilled and iconic players of the era; the likes of Frederic Michalak, Yannick Josion and Cedric Heymans in their pomp.
In the end, it was another of the most gifted French players of the noughties, Clément Poitrenaud, who almost decided the fate of the match – but for the most disastrous reasons.
After the match, Poitrenaud said: “I think I showed one of my best games in two seasons. Unfortunately, we will only remember this great deed. I especially feel sorry for my teammates who worked hard to get back into the game. Now it's just another day.”
His captain, the great Fabien Pelus, added: “I don't really want to talk to Clément right now because… I'd say something I'll regret later.”
This great act of stupidity entered European and French folklore, even giving rise to its own noun in Poitrenot's native language. About “Poitrenade” the dictionary says: “[Rugby] Clumsiness with disastrous consequences.”
With the score tied at 20-20 and extra time looming, Rob Howley fired a harmless-looking shot down the left flank. The Wasps scrum-half chased the ball gallantly, but it seemed that for all the money in the world, when the ball reached the Toulouse in-goal, Poitrenaud touched down and took out 22 men. The French defender, then just 22 years old, hesitated, waiting for the ball to land perfectly. During this delay, Hawley pounced and TMO awarded the try. In an instant, Wasps became champions.
A week later, bleary-eyed after the European celebrations, Gatland's side also defeated Bath at Twickenham in the Premier League final to secure their first double. With the help of Gatland, Howley, Worsley and Trevor Leota, Telegraph Sport tells the Wasps story.
'The semi-final against Munster was incredible in itself'
Gatland: Europe was a huge target for us in 2004. We did this the hard way, losing at home to Celtic Warriors and winning away at Perpignan – a game that meant a lot to us. They hadn't lost at home for 18 months and we played exceptionally well. Back then, for the Munster semi-final, only about 2,000 Wasps fans managed to get tickets – the old Lansdowne Road was packed with Munster fans. Started very well, dominated most of the first half, then Munster came back and took the lead and we had to dig deep to win.
Howley:This defeat to the Celtic Warriors was a bit of a reality check and a kick in the ass for us. This provoked us to reach the finals. Warren said it was no use being champions of England – as we had been the year before – but that we should be champions of Europe. Of course I'll have an individual try in the final, but the Munster semi-final at Lansdowne Road is one of the best games I've been involved in. It was a magical game and great to participate in.
< p>Leota:I definitely remember that Munster game. Unforgettable. I scored the winning goal! One of the brightest moments in my career.
Wasps' It wasn't an easy road to the final against Toulouse as they had to beat mighty Munster, which they did thanks to a try from Trevor Leota. Photo: Getty Images/Christopher Lee
Worsley:The whole campaign was pretty epic. The semi-final itself was incredible, dramatic; amazing day on Lansdowne Road.
The final was incredibly difficult and tiring, but very fun! One of those that goes by so quickly you just hang on, fitness-wise. I was blowing, but somehow I kept going. It was one of the most tiring matches I've ever played.
“Every time we had a chance, we took points.”
Gatland:It was a game I remember thinking about how we handled their relief game. But we just took a chance. They created chances but then missed the final pass or made a mistake when they found themselves behind and offloaded. We were pretty accurate that day. Every time we had a chance, we earned points.
Howley:Toulouse were the better team that day; their ability to unload, to follow us, their fitness and their strength. But we tried! We weren't really in the game, we were in territory, we weren't in possession of the ball. When Toulouse lost 20–11, their experienced internationals did not panic. They managed to find their way back to 20-20.
Worsley: We had an incredible line-up. Some aspects of our game plan were quite advanced for that period, and those two things combined to make us quite competitive. And yet we were unlucky in that final, but… we knew that we had to find a small advantage, physical and organizational, to win this game. Toulouse were very good that day.
Gatland:Joe was amazing. We assigned him to look after Finau Maka and stop him. I think he made an incredible number of tackles.
Worsley:Thirty-three! Several on Mac. It took me a few days to come to my senses.
Gatland:It was a sensational performance. Every time Maka got the ball, Joe would immediately cut him down. Maka was very important for them in terms of getting to the front line. You couldn't have picked a better person for the job than Joe.
Joe Worsley, seen going low, dealt with the dangerous Finau Maka during the final. Photo: Getty Images/Sean Botterill
Worsley:The only try they scored came from a poor kick. This was the only opportunity we gave them. We were a very controlled team that could stifle teams and give them no hope. In attack, Toulouse created chances, but we knew they would create far fewer if we neutralized their powerful runners. Tactically we did that.
Howley:One of the most underrated players (I thought he was world class) was Fraser Waters. He and Stuart Abbott ran our blitz defense under Shaun Edwards and teams weren't as used to our line speed.
Leota:Guys… we were so close. . We were like a family, putting everyone's bodies on the line. It was just crazy. We were under so much pressure. I remember the crowd and fans standing behind us. The match was so intense, mate.
“He was stunned, I wasn’t sure I got the ball.”
With the score 20-20 and the clock ticking, Wasps kicked the ball into territory. Michalak is out and the ball is headed towards Hawley. The rest is dreams or nightmares for a certain Toulouse No. 15.
Hauli:There was nothing good between me and Tom Voyce in rugby – we let the ball bounce. I then kicked the ball with my right foot rather than my more sensible left, and in my entire rugby career I have never seen a ball bounce so straight for so long. It arched and then remained completely straight. You don't expect that to happen with an oval ball.
But I never really thought I was in the game. There was a moment when I thought I had a small chance, so I accelerated. The ball bounced sharply and Poitrenaud should have jumped on it, but he let it bounce up, thinking it would fall perfectly into his hands, but this allowed me to pass between his legs and arms and land. We all make mistakes, but this is seen as a mistake that cost them. If it had gone to extra time, who knows? He was stunned. And I wasn't 100 percent sure that I was able to catch the ball.
Leota:We were just crossing our fingers and hoping.
Howley: After waiting for TMO it was a complete delight. I have dined at the restaurant many times and it is always a pleasure. The attempt was to not give up. Poitrenot made a terrible mistake; not many defenders do that.
Worsley:Actually I saw Poitrenaud a few weeks ago – I didn't bring it up! He'll never want to talk about it.
Howley:For me it was a handshake and a pat on the back after that.
Gatland:I've never encountered him. He's probably still going strong! Everyone talks about the winning try, but sometimes they forget that the score at that stage was 20-20. We did not use any substitutes. Not because I didn't think about it, but because when the score was 20-20 I thought there would be extra time – and they used all their substitutions. I thought, 'If we can get all these fresh legs on our feet in extra time, it will make a difference.' Obviously, Poitrenaud's brain freeze meant that this was not necessary.
No obvious danger as Hawley kicks a long grubber that bounces over the try line 
It seems there is still no real danger. danger of a try as Poitrenaud allows the ball to bounce off the try line and extra time is now all but guaranteed 
Poitrenot appears to be debating the meaning of life rather than concentrating on the ball, and Hawley's figure is getting larger; the smoothing has now given Hawley a chance to win the match 
Oh my God! Howley pounces – with Poitrenaud still hesitating – and touches the ball to win the European Cup for Wasps. The celebrations continued into the early hours. We had a lot of fun not only on Sunday night, but also on Monday and Tuesday. We had a little team game on Thursday and we went and still beat Bath the following weekend in the Premier League final.
I still hate Jonathan Humphreys [former Welsh hooker] who played for Bata at that time. “You couldn’t be that good – we had four days on the field and we still beat you!” We trained on the Thursday before Bath, but after Sunday's final the celebrations spilled over into the week. It was worth celebrating.
Gatland:The emotion of winning the Heineken Cup – and the celebrations and excitement that comes with it – and then regrouping and being ready for victory next week; it was a special six days. I'm very proud of it.
Worsley:I didn't go out – I didn't drink a drop! Not after the Toulouse game. I was so tired that I couldn't do it. I knew the game would take place in a week. I always prefer to wait for the right moment before I lose my temper. It was after the Bath game. I was exhausted – this would not have been fun.
We're all very proud to have done the double. This is very difficult to do – especially with a small roster and a smaller budget than other teams. However, what happened to Wasps evokes strange emotions. I am immensely proud of the club and the players. But now the club is dead. It's a strange feeling.
Howley:Last October, my father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. I was just grateful and proud that my mom, dad and sister were able to watch this match. He died five months later, in October 2004.
Hawley cannot contain his delight at the victorious attempt to land the Wasps' first Champions Cup triumph Photo: AFP/Frank Fyfe
Leota: People say [I'm a cult hero], but I just thank the man at the top. I got a chance to play with great people, great teammates. I certainly didn't expect anything like this as a young boy going to England trying to make my mark and get something out of it. Winning all the titles was a bonus.
Gatland:We had great fans too. There was nothing better than going to the West car park after the game – my wife was there, all the sponsors, a few fans and the staff and their partners – with the trophy for a few drinks. It's always been a special time for us as a band.
Howley:It's something you'll never forget.
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