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.
ERC
ERC
Latest ERC News
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.
Heineken Cup
Heineken Cup
Latest Heineken Cup News
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.
Heineken Cup Teams
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Amlin Challenge Cup
Amlin Challenge Cup
Latest Amlin Challenge Cup News
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.
Amlin Challenge Cup Teams
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News
Young remains confident despite play-off miss
10 May 2010 11:48am
By
© Getty Images
Cardiff Blues coach Dai Young insists his team's Amlin Challenge Cup ambitions will benefit from failing to reach their domestic play-offs.
The Welsh region missed out on a place in the top four of the Magners League by a point on the last day of the regular season.
But Young admitted the week's rest will help his team better prepare for the final against Toulon in Marseille on May 23.
He said: "We're disappointed to miss out on the play-offs but the positive is that we have a week off ahead of the Amlin final and perhaps that was in the back of people's minds.
"There has been a lot of talk about the Amlin final and perhaps that overtook thoughts of the play-offs.
"But we now have extra time to do our homework on Toulon. Everyone knows the quality they have but we expect to produce a far better performance."
The Blues beat Munster 13-12 in Cardiff to extend their winning streak to seven games and are hopeful that Wales scrum-half Richie Rees, Tonga prop Taufa'ao Filise and wing Chris Czekaj will all be available for the final. However British Lions No8
Andy Powell and Wales wing Tom James are out injured.
Young said: "There has been a lot of talk about the game being in Toulon's back yard. But personally I would prefer the final to be played in front of a large and passionate crowd in France than a half-full neutral venue. given our away form this season, there is no reason why we shouldn't travel there in good spirits."
But Young admitted the week's rest will help his team better prepare for the final against Toulon in Marseille on May 23.
He said: "We're disappointed to miss out on the play-offs but the positive is that we have a week off ahead of the Amlin final and perhaps that was in the back of people's minds.
"There has been a lot of talk about the Amlin final and perhaps that overtook thoughts of the play-offs.
"But we now have extra time to do our homework on Toulon. Everyone knows the quality they have but we expect to produce a far better performance."
The Blues beat Munster 13-12 in Cardiff to extend their winning streak to seven games and are hopeful that Wales scrum-half Richie Rees, Tonga prop Taufa'ao Filise and wing Chris Czekaj will all be available for the final. However British Lions No8
Andy Powell and Wales wing Tom James are out injured.
Young said: "There has been a lot of talk about the game being in Toulon's back yard. But personally I would prefer the final to be played in front of a large and passionate crowd in France than a half-full neutral venue. given our away form this season, there is no reason why we shouldn't travel there in good spirits."
Latest ERC TV
Latest ERC TV
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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