Montpellier remain on course for their first Top 14 title as Louis Picamoles got on the scoresheet to help down Lyon 40-14.
The French international will lead out his side in the final against Castres after they got the better of European Champions Cup runners-up Racing 92 in a thrilling 19-14 triumph.
The showdown will take place at the Stade de France on June 2 before France’s summer tour of New Zealand.
Picamoles shines as Michalak bows out
The No.8 Picamoles dominated proceedings and had his try after 48 minutes to keep the Top 14 league leaders on course for a first final since 2011 when they lost to Toulouse.
The match was, however, the last of Frederic Michalak’s career as the France legend hangs up his boots at 35 years old.
The scrum-half, who made 77 appearances for France including playing an integral part of the 2004 NatWest 6 Nations Grand Slam side, watched his side from the bench in his final outing.
It wasn’t to be for the stalwart as tries from Nemani Nadolo, Alexandre Dumoulin, Paul Willemse and Picamoles proved too much for Lyon at the Groupama Stadium.
“They were just too strong and didn’t allow us to play,” Michalak said.
“It all went so fast, I wanted to play the final but it’s all over.”
Castres stun Racing
Castres showed their resilience in a fine defensive display as they downed Racing 92 to make the final.
Maama Vaipulu gave Castres the advantage after just eight minutes before the Parisians battled back thanks to tries from Juan Imhoff and Louis Dipichot put Racing in control.
Ultimately it came down to discipline and Castres punished Racing with four penalties being converted by Benjamin Urdapilleta to snatch the play-off victory.
Forward Antoine Tichit said: “We made our people proud. I cannot wait to be back to see everyone, all the fans. “Next week, we will need them and I hope they will answer at the Stade de France.”
