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.
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.
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News
Heineken excites Nallet
1 October 2010 14:18pm
By Westgate
Racing Metro make their first appearance in this Heineken Cup this year
© Getty Images
Lionel Nallet is looking forward to leading his Racing Metro 92 side into the Heineken Cup for the first time, just a year after making it back into the French top flight.
Racing finished sixth in the French Top 14 last season and currently sit in second in the championship after beating last year's Heineken Cup finalists Biarritz Olympique 17-12 last weekend.
Playing in Europe's premier competition excites the French second row but the 34-year-old is under no illusion as to the challenge that lies ahead.
"In previous years when we have watched the Heineken Cup, we have always wanted to be a part of it," said Nallet.
"Now it will be the case and I couldn't be happier.
"This year we have a bit more experience as a team. We are still in a building phase.
"We have only been in the Top 14 for a year but now we are getting our bearings.
"We approach the competition which is unknown to the club, even though some players have already played in the Heineken Cup.
"The intensity of this tournament is a notch above and the main difference in the Heineken Cup is that if you make a little mistake you are almost out.
"We are not apprehensive about it at all, on the contrary, we are eager to compete in this tournament, to face top foreign teams."
Racing Metro travel to Leinster in their first Heineken Cup game on Saturday, October 9 before French champions Clermont Auvergne arrive at the Stade Yves Du Manoir a week later.
"Paying against Leinster won't be an easy task, but that's the kind of games all players want to play," added Nallet.
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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