18 May, 15:44
It's down to the wire now for the five contenders who have been shortlisted for the ultimate individual accolade in northern hemisphere rugby, ERC European Player of the Year 2013.
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14 May, 15:49
With the build-up to the Dublin 2013 European club rugby finals intensifying by the day, the four elite clubs of ASM Clermont Auvergne, Toulon, Leinster Rugby and Stade Francais Paris, who are focused on their quest for Heineken Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup silverware respectively, won't be the only clubs with Europe on their mind over the weekend of 17 and 18 May.
2 May, 18:59
Benoit August of Biarritz Olympique and Perpignan's Daniel Leo have been suspended for four weeks and two weeks respectively following citing complaints arising from last weekend's Amlin Challenge Cup semi-finals.
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18 May, 21:07
No sooner had he lifted the Heineken Cup than Jonny Wilkinson switched his focus on to the next task - trying to keep Toulon on course for a European Cup and Top 14 double.
18 May, 20:59
Bernard Laporte celebrated Toulon's 21-year wait for another trophy - but admitted he had had his doubts they would go on and lift the Heineken Cup when ASM Clermont Auvergne went nine points clear with over half an hour to play.
18 May, 19:33
Delon Armitage scored Toulon's match-winning try - but never had a doubt that Jonny Wilkinson would kick the conversion that would give them the lead for the first time with just minutes to spare.
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Amlin Challenge Cup
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18 May, 10:54
This one is for Joe and Isa - that was the tribute Amlin Man of the Match Jonny Sexton paid to his coach and team-mate in the wake of their 34-13 Amlin Challenge Cup final triumph over Stade Francais Paris at the RDS.
17 May, 23:37
There was another dose of European disappointment for Sergio Parisse and his team but the Stade Francais Paris captain paid handsome tribute to Leinster following their 34-13 victory at the RDS.
17 May, 23:15
Now for the elusive double - that was the defiant message from Joe Schmidt after they had lifted the third European title of his reign.
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News
Jonny's injury played a part says Young
24 May 2010 15:28pm
By Westgate
Dai Young says Jonny Wilkinson's injury did have an impact on Sunday's game
Cardiff Blues coach Dai Young has admitted that Jonny Wilkinson's enforced absence played a part in his side's Amlin Challenge Cup Final win over Toulon on Sunday.
Wilkinson was forced out of a hard-fought encounter in front of nearly 50,000 fans at the Stade Veledrome after he suffered what appeared to be a back or rib injury 10 minutes into the second half.
Toulon led 13-6 when England's World Cup winning fly-half left the field of play but the Blues went on to score three superb tries as they ran 28-21 winners in a sun-drenched Marseilles.
And while Young pointed to his side's exemplary attitude and mental strength as the central reasons behind their success, he was honest enough to admit that Wilkinson's departure did have an impact on the outcome.
"Wilkinson's injury was a turning point in the game for them and his departure allowed us to play field position," said Young, whose team became the first Welsh side to lift a trophy in 15 seasons of European rugby.
"He was certainly causing us problems and they lost their shape when he went off.
"We were able to pressurise them and they became rushed into what they were trying to do.
"It is hard to put into words how I'm feeling now. That win was down to sheer hard work, commitment and guts. They had us on the rack for long periods, but this team simply didn't want to lose."
Sunday's triumph was made all the more special due to the Blues' heartbreaking experiences in continental competition this time last year.
Just over 12 months ago, the Blues were on the verge of a place in the final of Europe's biggest club competition before their Heineken Cup hopes came to an end in the cruelest of circumstances.
The Welsh capital outfit were beaten in the first-ever European penalty shoot out at the hands of Leicester Tigers but, while he admits that the win over Toulon won't erase those painful memories, Young says the Challenge Cup trophy is a powerful tonic.
"We were very disappointed at the way we went out of the Heineken Cup in such cruel fashion last year," added Young.
"Europe is the great flagship for every team and while we all want to win the Heineken Cup, this is the next best thing."
Toulon led 13-6 when England's World Cup winning fly-half left the field of play but the Blues went on to score three superb tries as they ran 28-21 winners in a sun-drenched Marseilles.
And while Young pointed to his side's exemplary attitude and mental strength as the central reasons behind their success, he was honest enough to admit that Wilkinson's departure did have an impact on the outcome.
"Wilkinson's injury was a turning point in the game for them and his departure allowed us to play field position," said Young, whose team became the first Welsh side to lift a trophy in 15 seasons of European rugby.
"He was certainly causing us problems and they lost their shape when he went off.
"We were able to pressurise them and they became rushed into what they were trying to do.
"It is hard to put into words how I'm feeling now. That win was down to sheer hard work, commitment and guts. They had us on the rack for long periods, but this team simply didn't want to lose."
Sunday's triumph was made all the more special due to the Blues' heartbreaking experiences in continental competition this time last year.
Just over 12 months ago, the Blues were on the verge of a place in the final of Europe's biggest club competition before their Heineken Cup hopes came to an end in the cruelest of circumstances.
The Welsh capital outfit were beaten in the first-ever European penalty shoot out at the hands of Leicester Tigers but, while he admits that the win over Toulon won't erase those painful memories, Young says the Challenge Cup trophy is a powerful tonic.
"We were very disappointed at the way we went out of the Heineken Cup in such cruel fashion last year," added Young.
"Europe is the great flagship for every team and while we all want to win the Heineken Cup, this is the next best thing."
Latest ERC TV
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18 May 13
Get the final words pf both coaches and captains ahead of the biggest club game of their careers. Press Confernce with Toulon and ASM
16 May 13
Finals Edition: Listen to the best guide to the European Rugby Cup Finals weekend in Dublin, which sees Leinster Rugby take on Stade Francais Paris at the RDS on Friday night in the Amlin Challenge Cup Final and then ASM Clermont Auvergne tackle Toulon in an all-French affair at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.
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