Joel Kpoku, the giant English forward who left Saracens in November in search of more game time, powered Lyon past Wasps and into the Challenge Cup Final.
Under a burning sun in France’s second city, Lyon overturned an 8-3 half-time deficit to edge past an error-strewn Coventry outfit with two tries in six minutes.
“It’s a great feeling, one we’ve been chasing for a long time,” said London-born Kpoku, who was named man of the match - and then paid an even bigger compliment by being likened to former team mate Maro Itoje.
“To finally be here now, having beaten a great Wasps side who tested us from minute one to 80, is surreal.”
Wasps were architects of their own downfall, having silenced the crowd at Stade de Gerland through Dan Robson’s smart early try and still led with under half an hour to play.
As Lyon turned up the heat their handling went to pot, numerous mistakes gifting back the initiative to a French team without a major trophy since 1933.
“At half-time we knew what we had to do,” added Kpoku. “It was about believing in ourselves and not letting indiscipline let them into the game. That was all that was said.”
Within three minutes of the restart Wasps had the chance to extend their lead but allowed themselves to be turned over on the home try line.
Energised by their defensive stand, Lyon swarmed upfield, weaving their way right then left with sharp passes for fly-half Leo Berdeu to score and cover a fine try.
Although Wasps quickly pulled back a penalty Lyon were now in the mood and when Jacob Umaga was stripped after fielding a high ball, Kpoku drove through three tackles to set up replacement Yanis Charcosset for a try with his first touch.
"You've got to remember Joel's come from Saracens stock where probably one of the best second rows in the world is at the minute, Maro Itoje,” said former Wasps, Saracens and England fly-half Andy Goode.
“So he's learned from him. He's a wonderful player and there were shades of Maro Itoje in that performance, weren't there? Around the breakdown, physical, being a pain and very effective.”
Trailing 20-11 with 10 minutes to play, Wasps rallied as they saw their dream of a first major trophy since 2008 disappearing.
Dan Frost went over, only for the try to be chalked off for a Francois Hougaard knock-on. Then replacement fullback Zach Kibirige went the length, only to be denied over the Lyon line by a scrambling Davit Niniashvili.
Their persistence was rewarded when Jimmy Gopperth bagged their second try from a lineout maul and added the extras five minutes from time.
It left them tantalisingly close to booking a Final date in Marseille on Friday week, but Gopperth's earlier conversion miss would prove costly and it was Lyon, the great underachievers of French rugby, who advanced.
“There’s a frustration because we controlled large parts the game,” admitted Wasps boss Lee Blackett.
“The game came down to a couple of moments and we lost those moments, we didn’t take our opportunities.
“The effort was outstanding but we’re all proud and we want to win things. We need to make sure we don’t let this derail our season.”
LYON - Tries: Berdeu, Charcosset. Cons: Berdeu 2. Pens: Berdeu 2.
WASPS - Tries: Robson, Gopperth. Con: Gopperth. Pens: Gopperth 2.
