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
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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.
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
Tait extends Falcons contract
28 February 2008 16:43pm
By Angelina Lacroix
Mathew Tait
© Getty Images
England international back Mathew Tait has signed a new one year contract extension with European Challenge Cup quarter- finalists, Newcastle Falcons.
The versatile young player started his professional career with the Falcons in 2004 and has played at centre, wing, and full back.
In 23 European outings with the Falcons the 22-year-old has scored eight tries in the European Challenge Cup and once in the Heineken Cup.
Tait's side have reached the knockout stages of the European Challenge Cup for the sixth time in seven attempts and will host Castres Olympique on Saturday, 5 April at 8pm at Kingston Park.
It is an impressive record and testament to the solid foundations laid by Rob Andrew during his time as Director of Rugby before he moved on to become Director of Elite Rugby at the RFU.
Andrew has had a role in developing and honing the skills of the likes of Tait and Falcons team mate Toby Flood, within the England set up and both are now established players in the Ashton era.
Ten years ago Falcons overcame Castres when they reached their first European quarter-final beating the same club 44 - 0. That was before Tait's time but the 20-times-capped England international will be a key figure at Kingston Park in the coming seasons.
"It is always a big decision when contracts come up for renewal, but I'm delighted to have agreed a new deal and look forward to helping the Falcons fulfil their ambitions," he said.
"Newcastle is a fantastic club with a massive amount of quality, and under John Fletcher there are exciting times ahead."
In 23 European outings with the Falcons the 22-year-old has scored eight tries in the European Challenge Cup and once in the Heineken Cup.
Tait's side have reached the knockout stages of the European Challenge Cup for the sixth time in seven attempts and will host Castres Olympique on Saturday, 5 April at 8pm at Kingston Park.
It is an impressive record and testament to the solid foundations laid by Rob Andrew during his time as Director of Rugby before he moved on to become Director of Elite Rugby at the RFU.
Andrew has had a role in developing and honing the skills of the likes of Tait and Falcons team mate Toby Flood, within the England set up and both are now established players in the Ashton era.
Ten years ago Falcons overcame Castres when they reached their first European quarter-final beating the same club 44 - 0. That was before Tait's time but the 20-times-capped England international will be a key figure at Kingston Park in the coming seasons.
"It is always a big decision when contracts come up for renewal, but I'm delighted to have agreed a new deal and look forward to helping the Falcons fulfil their ambitions," he said.
"Newcastle is a fantastic club with a massive amount of quality, and under John Fletcher there are exciting times ahead."
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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