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
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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
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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.
Amlin Challenge Cup Teams
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News
Betsen backing Biarritz
28 April 2010 16:06pm
By
Serge Betsen is hoping for a Wasps and Biarritz Euro double this weekend
© Getty Images
Serge Betsen may have Amlin Challenge Cup glory on his mind - but he will also be willing on his old team-mates at Biarritz Olympique when they meet Munster in their Heineken Cup semi-final showdown in San Sebastian on Sunday.
The former France flanker will be key to London Wasps' hopes when they take on Cardiff Blues in the Amlin Challenge Cup semis a day earlier before urging his old club on against the former double Heineken Cup champions.
Biarritz went within touching distance of European club rugby's most coveted trophy four years ago only to lose 23-19 to Munster in the Millennium Stadium showpiece occasion.
"It is really good for Biarritz to reach the Heineken Cup semi-finals and to play against Munster four years after the final in Cardiff," said the 36-year-old veteran back rower who made 44 Heineken Cup appearances for the Basque club
"It will be a big, big thing for the team and for those who were involved in the 2006 final.
"There is a lot of emotion when I talk about my old club Biarritz and Munster because we had a bad, bad experience against them then and hopefully this time they will put it right.
"They are playing at home - even if that is in Spain - but I think it will be very hard for Biarritz now that they will be without the injured Damien Traille.
"All the boys will put their bodies on the line to try and make things happen and you never know what will happen in sport and Estadio Anoeta is a magic place to play rugby, it is a really good crowd who love their rugby and hopefully this will help them to succeed."
Wasps, who have won three European titles, the Amlin Challenge Cup in 2003 and the Heineken Cup in 2004 and 2007, have the incentive of being first to bank four titles if they can see off Cardiff Blues and then triumph in the final on Sunday, 23 May.
"There is a good feeling at the club, we have done well in the Amlin Challenge Cup and hopefully it will be a good game for us against Cardiff Blues," he said.
"I am looking forward to meeting my old warrior Martyn Williams and the Blues are a very good team with a strong front five and powerful back row plus some really tough backs.
"It is important for us to finish well in our last home game of the season and make sure we thank our supporters for their support over the season.
"We need to be fully focused on the Blues - how we can find gaps, how to challenge their back row and how to challenge everyone in their team."
Biarritz went within touching distance of European club rugby's most coveted trophy four years ago only to lose 23-19 to Munster in the Millennium Stadium showpiece occasion.
"It is really good for Biarritz to reach the Heineken Cup semi-finals and to play against Munster four years after the final in Cardiff," said the 36-year-old veteran back rower who made 44 Heineken Cup appearances for the Basque club
"It will be a big, big thing for the team and for those who were involved in the 2006 final.
"There is a lot of emotion when I talk about my old club Biarritz and Munster because we had a bad, bad experience against them then and hopefully this time they will put it right.
"They are playing at home - even if that is in Spain - but I think it will be very hard for Biarritz now that they will be without the injured Damien Traille.
"All the boys will put their bodies on the line to try and make things happen and you never know what will happen in sport and Estadio Anoeta is a magic place to play rugby, it is a really good crowd who love their rugby and hopefully this will help them to succeed."
Wasps, who have won three European titles, the Amlin Challenge Cup in 2003 and the Heineken Cup in 2004 and 2007, have the incentive of being first to bank four titles if they can see off Cardiff Blues and then triumph in the final on Sunday, 23 May.
"There is a good feeling at the club, we have done well in the Amlin Challenge Cup and hopefully it will be a good game for us against Cardiff Blues," he said.
"I am looking forward to meeting my old warrior Martyn Williams and the Blues are a very good team with a strong front five and powerful back row plus some really tough backs.
"It is important for us to finish well in our last home game of the season and make sure we thank our supporters for their support over the season.
"We need to be fully focused on the Blues - how we can find gaps, how to challenge their back row and how to challenge everyone in their team."
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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