BORDEAUX, France (AFP) - Clermont gained revenge on the team that defeated them in last year's French Top 14 play-off final with a 19-9 win over titleholders Toulouse in the semi-final here on Friday.

Clermont, who have never clinched the French crown despite nine final appearances, now face the winner of Saturday's semi-final between Perpignan and Stade Francais in Lyon.

This is their third consecutive appearance in the play-off final which is being staged at the Stade de France next Saturday, June 6.

Clermont, beaten 26-20 in the big one last year, were sent on their way to victory Friday by Australian Brock James, the Top 14's leading scorer.

The fly-half opened the scoring with a penalty in the second minute before crossing the line for the only try of the game in the 11th minute, which he successfully converted.

Clermont went into the break 13-9 up after Benoit Baby had added a further penalty, with Toulouse's points all coming from the boot of James' opposite number, Jean-Baptiste Elissalde.

In the second half, both James and Baby added two further penalties to seal a great night and put them one game away from ending a century of heartache in the French first division.