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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ERC
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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.
Heineken Cup
Heineken Cup
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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
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
Gaffney books date with old friends
6 April 2008 16:40pm
By
Saracens coach Alan Gaffney will face Munster in the Heineken Cup semi-final
© Getty Images
Sarries 19-10 home quarter-final victory over the much-fancied Ospreys set-up a dream tie for Gaffney, who spent three years as coach at Munster and took them to the last four in this tournament.
?I thought Munster were superb in the way they won at Gloucester. They really did dominate the game,? said Gaffney.
?I spent three years at Munster having been two years at Leinster prior to that, so I know them very well.
?I spent three years at Munster having been two years at Leinster prior to that, so I know them very well.
Click here to watch video interview with Alan Gaffney
I sent a number of congratulatory text messages to my Munster friends after their win and I got a flood of them in return after the final whistle against the Ospreys.
All the pundits didn?t give us a chance, but we knew within ourselves that we could win.
I guess you could say we?ve put a spanner in the works by beating a team that many people thought were the favourites to win the tournament. Now we?ll have to do it all over again when we meet Munster.?
It will be the first time the Saracens have figured in the last four in the Heineken Cup, although they will have to meet Munster without the help of England centre Andy Farrell.
He came off in the first half with a damaged shoulder that is likely to sideline him for the next three months. There were also worrying injuries picked up by South African full back Brent Russell (hamstring), Paul Gustard (shoulder) and try scorer Francisco Leonelli.
?I?m really pleased for the players because many of them went to places in this game they had never been before,? admitted Gaffney.
?I hope we?ve put to bed the myth that this club are perennial underachievers. This was a great day for the club and an occasion for the players to savour.
?Now we?ve got to ensure they enjoy the semi-final just as much.?
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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