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
Heineken Cup
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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.
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.
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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.
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News
Away quarter-final disappointment for Bru
23 January 2011 20:11pm
By Westgate
Toulouse suffered their first defeat in the tournament this year against London Wasps
© Getty Images
Toulouse coach Yannick Bru may have been proud of his side's second half effort against London Wasps when they were down to 14 men, but he couldn't hide his disappointment at losing a home tie in the quarter-finals.
With the game tied at 16-16 it looked as though the reigning champions would escape with two points and earn the third seeding and a home clash with Perpignan. Instead, Dave Lemi's last minute try ended their 11 match unbeaten run in the tournament and condemned them to an away trip to Biarritz.
"We are proud of the team spirit that we showed in the second half, but bitterly disappointed at having to play away in the quarter-finals," admitted Bru.
"It was a difficult game for us because we had to play 14 v 15 for almost 40 minutes. We showed the quality of our squad and we still feel we can beat anyone.
"But it would have been easier to play a quarter-final at home. Now we will have to reveal our true character again and get up for the challenge of playing in Biarritz."
The game will be a repeat of the 2010 Heineken Cup final in Paris when Toulouse took the title for the fourth time.
"It was disappointing not being able to hold on to the draw. We knew were had qualified for the last eight, but we came looking to get enough points to earn a home tie," said Toulouse No 8 Shaun Sowerby.
"It now means a difficult away trip to Biarritz in April. Then, if we win there, we would have an even more difficult away game in the semi-finals against either Leinster or Leicester Tigers
"There is definitely an advantage in playing at home at the quarter-final stage. The big teams in Europe very rarely lose at home. Even so, we still feel it is possible to get to Cardiff for the Heineken Cup final in May."
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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