The result meant Wasps and England skipper Lawrence Dallaglio got his hands on the Heineken Cup just six months after helping his country to World Cup glory in Australia.

Despite his sin-binning midway through the second period, Dallaglio finished a winner yet again at Twickenham, but he needed assistance from his Lions colleague Howley.

The former Wales captain and scrum-half capitalised on a dreadful mistake from Toulouse full-back Poitrenaud.

With a minute of normal time to go, Poitrenaud was content to watch a Wasps kick roll over his own line, but Howley pounced and got downward pressure, which landed the trophy.

Full-back Mark Van Gisbergen converted to finish with 17 points.

Wasps, who will retain their Zurich Premiership title if they beat Bath on the same ground next Sunday, thwarted Toulouse’s bid for a record third European crown.

Full-back Van Gisbergen, a New Zealander who qualifies for England on residency grounds in 16 months’ time, scored a brilliant second-half try after being sent clear by fly-half Alex King.

Van Gisbergen also chipped in with two penalties and three conversions, while centre Stuart Abbott claimed a first-half touchdown in front of 73,000 fans.

Veteran fly-half Yann Delaigue scored a try and kicked two penalties for Heineken Cup holders Toulouse, while substitute Jean-Baptiste Elissalde slotted a penalty treble, hauling his team back to 20-20 before Howley struck.

Wasps emulated previous English European champions Bath, Northampton and Leicester.

And their victory also guaranteed seven English places in next season’s Heineken Cup, sending fourth-placed Premiership finishers Gloucester through and lining up a wildcard play-off final for either Leicester or Sale Sharks next Saturday.