The loss of England fly-half Wilkinson to a rib injury early in thesecond half, with Toulon leading 13-6 at that point, was a turning point as the French team lost their guiding light.
Crocker, who beat Phelps to win the world title in Barcelona and took the world record from him atthe same time, wanted to take charge from the start and went out fast down the first length, turning inside world record pace atthe 50 in 23.59, more than half a second clear of the field.