Although Perpignan staged a spirited second-half recovery, a 19-0 interval deficit proved too much as Toulouse regained a trophy they first won in 1996, triumphing 22-17.

Their French international wing Vincent Clerc scored a try nine minutes before the break, but the goal-kicking of fly-half Yann Delaigue proved crucial as he landed 17 points from five penalties and a conversion.

Perpignan had their moments, notably four penalties from the boot of fly half Manny Edmonds and an injury-time Pascal Bomati try, yet Toulouse justified their favourite tag, giving Brennan a day to remember in Dublin.

“Winning this tournament is special,” he said.

“I wasn’t as nervous today as I was before the semi-final against Munster, but there were bound to be nerves all the same, given that this was such a big occasion.

“It was a classic game of two halves – we had the first, and Perpignan the second – but there is nothing really to choose between both teams.”

Brennan has become something of a cult figure since he joined Toulouse, and he is hoping to secure an extension to his existing contract, which expires next year.

In contrast, Perpignan’s Irishman in residence – number eight Phil Murphy - looks poised for a move to the Zurich Premiership, with London Irish favourites to secure his signature.

Toulouse emulated Leicester in becoming only the second club to win the Heineken Cup twice, but it could have been a much different story, had Perpignan not been so slow out of the blocks.

“We came back into the game really hard, and hopefully we can come back next year and win,” said Perpignan skipper Bernard Goutta.

Perpignan coach Olivier Saisset added: “I think our problem was that we didn’t keep the ball, and we also panicked on our line-outs. On top of that, Toulouse are used to these type of games, and we are not.”