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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19 May, 13:35
They all agreed the 18th Heineken Cup final was one of the most physical and absorbing of all-time and the media were still shaking their heads in disbelief at how ASM Clermont Auvergne failed to win in Dublin.
19 May, 13:07
Ulster Rugby hooker Rory Best - disappointed to miss out on selection for the British & Irish Lions tour squad - will captain Ireland on their North America tour this summer.
19 May, 12:58
Following the epic Dublin 2013 finals which featured Heineken Cup success for Toulon and an Amlin Challenge Cup victory for Leinster Rugby, there was good news on the qualification front for Perpignan and Connacht Rugby who both secured places in the 2013/14 Heineken Cup.
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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
Ibanez named as Wasps skipper
6 August 2008 09:04am
By
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New Wasps skipper Raphael Ibanez
Heineken Cup winning Raphael Ibanez has been made captain on London Wasps, following the retirement of Lawrence Dallaglio's retirement
The 35-year-old hooker takes the armband from the world cup-winning England legend Dallaglio, in a move heralded by club director of rugby Ian McGeechan who said: "With the departure of Lawrence Dallaglio, there are of course some big boots to fill but Raf is one of the most highly regarded players in the professional game who so easily commands the respect of all those around him.
"The fact that he is the world's most capped hooker reflects his commitment and durability, particularly as he has played throughout that time in the uncompromising environment of the front row," he added.
Ibanez himself was under no illusions to the size of the task. The former French captain said: "The Wasps captaincy is probably one of the biggest challenges of my career so far.
"We have a fantastic squad and I'm very proud to lead this group of players.
"My first thought went to Lawrence Dallaglio. He's a great leader and an absolute legend of this game."
He added: "He is a great friend and will continue to be, even though he will no longer be at the club."
"The fact that he is the world's most capped hooker reflects his commitment and durability, particularly as he has played throughout that time in the uncompromising environment of the front row," he added.
Ibanez himself was under no illusions to the size of the task. The former French captain said: "The Wasps captaincy is probably one of the biggest challenges of my career so far.
"We have a fantastic squad and I'm very proud to lead this group of players.
"My first thought went to Lawrence Dallaglio. He's a great leader and an absolute legend of this game."
He added: "He is a great friend and will continue to be, even though he will no longer be at the club."
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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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