Reigning champions Toulon will have a shot at becoming only the third team in Heineken Cup history to defend their title after they overcame Munster 24-16 in the second semi-final at Stade Velodrome, Marseille.

The only try of the game may have come in the second half from Munster wing Simon Zebo, but Toulon were never behind in a game which saw Jonny Wilkinson end with 21 points and Delon Armitage smash over a 55 metre penalty.

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Toulon will now meet Aviva Premiership leaders Saracens at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday, 24 May as they try to match the achievements of Leicester Tigers (2001, 2002) and Leinster Rugby (2011, 2012) in successfully defending the Heineken Cup.

The final will be a re-match of last year’s semi-final at Twickenham Stadium, which Toulon won 24-12, and will be Wilkinson’s final professional game on UK soil. The Toulon skipper is due to retire at the end of the season.

It was Wilkinson’s boot that got the scoreboard moving after five minutes and he swapped penalties with opposite number Ian Keatley as the French side kept their noses ahead in the first-half to reach the break 18-9 ahead.

Munster were guilty of giving away six points through silly errors in their own 22 from re-starts and failed to make the most of Juan Fernandez Lobbe’s yellow card for a reckless kick at Conor Murray. Armitage’s 55 metre penalty was the last act of the first half, stretching the lead to nine points, but Munster hit back in the second half.

Simon Zebo somehow forced Steffon Armitage to put a foot in touch as he dived over in the right corner and then the Ireland and British & Irish Lions win crossed for a try of his on at the other end which Keatley converted off the touchline to cut the ga to two points at 18-16 with 27 minutes to play.

Now Munster were looking more assured and dangerous and they dominated long periods. But they coughed up another penalty when Keith Earls was sent to the sin-bin for tackling Dave Smith without the ball and Wilkinson hit the mark again.

The Toulon skipper thought he was about to clinch the deal with another drop goal, but James Coughlan produced a magnificent charge down to save his side. Munster shunned kicks at goal as they went in search of tries from their famed driving line-out, but the Toulon defence stood tall.

Wilkinson had the final say with a 79th minute penalty to take his match tally to 21 – he scored all 24 in last seasons semi-final win – and hoist his Heineken Cup tally for the season to exactly 100.