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With Patricio Fernández as a replacement, Clermont won the 2016-2017 Top 14 Final. The Central French side defeated Toulon 22-16 to claim their second ever French title. The prior title came against Perpignan in 2010.
Fernández came on in the second half for Clermont. Toulon also had a Puma on the bench. That player was Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe. Corcho, like Fernández, entered the match in the second half. This guaranteed that one Puma would be a French champion this season.
Fernández Lobbe did not last until the end. Having been tackled hard he fell awkwardly and banged his head hard against the ground. This required him to be seen by a medic and Juan Smith would replace him for the final minutes.
The 35-year-old Fernández Lobbe is reportedly now to retire. Midi Olympique has linked him to a coaching position with Toulon. Patricio Fernández has three more years left at Clermont before a possible return to Argentina will happen.
So long as Fernández remains in France he will not be considered for international duty. The 22-year-old earned two caps in 2013, facing Brazil and Chile.
