Classic Lions clinched their first World Rugby Classic title since 2015, finishing top of the standings despite an enduring an agonising 25-24 defeat to last year’s winners Argentina Legends in the decisive match last night.

For scoring four tries and losing by less than seven points, the Lions picked up two bonus points, which saw them finish at the apex of the six-team table with 12 points when the 38th edition drew to a close at North Field, National Sports Centre.

Lions captain Niall Scannell, who scored two tries against Argentina, was thrilled to lift the trophy.

“We are absolutely delighted to be champions,” Scannell told The Royal Gazette.

“I know different players get to represent the Lions every year, but it’s great for us to do it for people like our founder Allan Martin and a few people that have been here a lot.

“It was a great effort from the lads and it was an enjoyable week. We are happy that we got to win the tournament in the end.

“It wasn't the best rugby from us as the ball was a bit greasy. But we had a job to do on the night, we had to get either a losing bonus point or a four-try bonus and we got both, so we’re just delighted that we got it done.”

While victory was not enough for Argentina to retain the title, captain Federico Castilla was proud of the fight shown by his side.

“I feel happy because this team showed character and fought for the victory,” Castilla said.

“It was a really tough match, the Lions were really hard to beat. We won the tournament last year and things did not work out for us this year, so we will try again next year.”

Argentina drew first blood five minutes into the match when Juan Manuel Garcia intercepted the ball to score a try under the posts, before Augusto Guillamondegui added the extras.

The Lions had a chance to score only for the ball to be lost forward metres from the line. Perry Humphries went over on the right corner halfway into the second half, but Ian Keatley missed the conversion.

Guillamondegui gave Argentina some breathing space by slotting in a penalty goal to take the lead to 10-5. The Argentina No 10 kicked in a conversion off Garcia's second try and penalty for the Los Pumas to lead 20-5 at the break.

The Lions started the second half brightly when Stuart Vokes went over and Keatley converted to reduce the deficit.

Scannell had the first of his two tries and Keatley’s conversion brought them within a point of their opponents.

Dalla Fontana Emiliano powered his way over the line for Argentina’s third try, but Guillamondegui could not add the extras.

Scannell squeezed through on the left corner for his brace and with a chance to win it with a conversion right at the end, Keatley was unable to split the posts from a tight angle.

In the first match of the final night, Canadian Classic came from behind to overcome Italian Classic XV 33-28. Prior to the start of the encounter, a minute’s silence was observed in honour of an Italy player who became the island’s sixteenth road fatality in the early hours of Wednesday.

France Classic XV, who stunned Argentina on Tuesday, triumphed 49-0 over Classic Eagles for the Americans to finish the Classic without tasting victory.