Biggest Winners and Losers in World Rugby for Weekend of May 1-3

Europe took rugby's spotlight as its own on Saturday as Toulon clinched their third continental crown in as many years to further cement their status as one of the greatest club teams in existence.

Bernard Laporte's men were assuredly among the happiest outfits in the world this weekend, but the southern hemisphere did its best to contend with a flurry of Super Rugby drama.

We also heard news of another heavily experienced Ireland figure confirming his retirement, while the Premiership's transparency was called into question as we round up the biggest winners and losers in world rugby.

Winner: Toulon

By triumphing over Top 14 rivals Clermont 24-18 at Twickenham on Saturday, Toulon entered their name into rugby folklore by becoming the first team to claim three successive European titles.

Laporte's star-studded cast are also became the first winners of the European Rugby Champions Cup in what was a fully deserved triumph at English rugby's headquarters.

Clermont proved worthy opponents for a time, but in being able to call upon such a fearsome array of internationals, even from their bench, Toulon illustrated why they are arguably the best club team on the planet right now.

Drew Mitchell's match-winning score, beating six defenders before touching down in the 69th minute, will be remembered as the pick of the bunch and Toulon's crowning moment, but there was many a highlight therein.

Mourad Boudjellal has done more than merely assemble a crew of talented individuals. That though they are, this crew knows how to operate in slick fashion and continues to pull Toulon's sails in the right direction.

Loser: Ireland Pedigree

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Having already lost Ronan O'Gara and Brian O'Driscoll to retirement in recent years, Ireland are now set to see another one of their veterans depart after Gordon D'Arcy announced his plans to call it a day later this year.

The 35-year-old penned an open letter on Leinster's official website (via ESPN Scrum), explaining his decision to follow those aforementioned legends out the exit door after this year's Rugby World Cup:

"

Had the result in Marseille nearly two weeks ago gone our way (Leinster were beaten 25-20 by European Champions Cup semi-final opponents Toulon), this week could have been a lot different. But unfortunately it isn't, so I am taking this opportunity to announce that I will be retiring from professional rugby at the end of October.

It is a decision that I have not come to lightly, but one that sits very easily with me and indeed with my wife, Aoife, and we are confident that I am making the decision for the right reasons. My decision has always been that I would leave at this time—after the Rugby World Cup 2015—and I would like to thank Leinster Rugby and the IRFU (Irish Rugby Football Union) for their support in facilitating this process, which began last summer.

I am so proud, fortunate and honoured to have represented my province and country for 17 seasons, but I am leaving on my terms, which is how everyone would wish to end their professional rugby careers. It is still hard for me to get my head around the fact that I will not be pulling a jersey on again after October.

"

With Paul O'Connell another potential loss for Ireland in 2015, the Old Guard have almost all made their way out of the playing side of the sport, although Joe Schmidt has handled the transition well so far.

D'Arcy has already seen the likes of Robbie Henshaw and recent Ireland convert Jared Payne take centre stage among Schmidt's centres, but he may still hope to make it into the World Cup squad.

Capped 81 times by his country, D'Arcy has the chance to make one last run at international success, having claimed a Six Nations Grand Slam in 2009, this year's Six Nations title and toured with the British and Irish Lions twice in his career.

Winner: Gloucester

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In the excitement of Saturday's game at Twickenham, it's easy to forget Toulon weren't the only European champions crowned this weekend, with Gloucester achieving glory in the inaugural European Rugby Challenge Cup.

Their domestic campaign may not have gone entirely to plan, with the Cherry and Whites lingering in a disappointing ninth place, but their Challenge Cup success will somewhat help to paper over an awful lot of cracks.

Billy Meakes' sending off wasn't enough to see David Humphreys' side relinquish their lead, and the West Country representatives showed great character to overcome Edinburgh 19-13.

Greig Laidlaw played a crucial role against his former club, kicking Gloucester to victory with 14 points of his own as the team added more than a bit of sheen to their 2014-15 season.

Loser: Premiership Moral Fibre

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With the debate over whether to raise the Aviva Premiership's salary cap once again being hotly discussed in English circles, it was sad to learn the league has a mess in need of cleaning up.

After it was alleged a majority of Premiership clubs voted to delay the investigation of two clubs—one of which is Saracens—regarding potential cap breaches, Rugby Players' Association chief executive Damian Hopley told The Times (h/t ESPN Scrum):

"

Everyone buys into the principle of the salary cap, we recognise its worth and the purpose it is serving for English rugby. We've had comments from leading players in the Premiership that breaking the salary cap is akin to being on the field with someone who is taking performance-enhancing supplements.

It's just not fair. Either you play by the rules or you don't. There is a growing sense of frustration among the players. We talk about the values of rugby, well there needs to be mutual respect here about what we are all buying into.

We want transparency and accountability across everything that we do. As the players are held accountable every weekend in front of the viewers and the fans in the grounds, we want to make sure that is the same across the industry.

"

To think there are those within the Premiership hierarchy who might look to preserve the division's image by putting justified punishment to one side is a saddening thought.

It may be that England's role as 2015 Rugby World Cup host has something to do with the inquiry's delay; then again, perhaps the two aren't linked at all. In any case, business motivations would appear to have trumped the correct course of action.

Winner: Super Rugby's Derby Dominators

Within Super Rugby circles this week came a number of "derby" meetings, as a host of teams enjoyed the fortune of not having to travel abroad for their Round 12 matchups.

Reigning champions Waratahs claimed arguably the biggest rivalry win of any, overcoming the Brumbies 13-10 in Canberra to give their campaign a welcome jolt as they look to top the Australian conference.

Meanwhile, Beauden Barrett inspired the Hurricanes to a 29-23 win against the Crusaders to maintain their pace at the head of the overall standings.

There was also local drama in South Africa, where the Stormers saw their recent run of good form end at the hands of the Cheetahs, while the Lions were also unsuccessful as they travelled to face the Bulls in Pretoria.

The Cheetahs and Bulls will be overjoyed with their wins on home soil, albeit at opposite ends of the conference, while the Waratahs now sit just a point below the Brumbies thanks to their victory.