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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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
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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
Ulster will learn from defeat vows Best
10 April 2011 18:27pm
By Westgate
Andrew Trimble scored Ulster's try in the first-half
© Getty
Rory Best has vowed his side will learn from their first foray into the Heineken Cup knock-out stages for the first time in 12 years and be back in the big time again next year.
The 1999 Heineken Cup champions led Northampton Saints at half-time, but eventually went down 23-13 at stadium:mk to miss out on a semi-final clash with Perpignan.
"That was one of the most physically intense games I have ever played in with Ulster. We are very, very disappointed, especially at forward because we let the game get away from us in the first 15 minutes of the second half," said Best.
"We dropped off a fraction and they put on the squeeze. It is fine margins between winning and losing at this level, but we came off the field wanting more of that kind of experience.
"It was a big step up from the Pool stages and our domestic league, but that's what we all want. We have to learn from this experience.
"It is no coincidence that the same teams keep cropping up in the Heineken Cup quarter-finals year in, year out. You have to learn how to take your chances when they come along.
"Saints didn't let us breathe in the first 10 minutes and we couldn't get to their line-out or maul. They are so good at what they do and you need a solid set piece to play against them."
Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin was proud of the effort from his players, but bitterly disappointed at seeing them slip in the second half.
"I thought we took our eye off the ball at the set piece in the second half. But it was a huge learning curve for us and there is a hell of a lot more to come from this Ulster team," said McLaughlin.
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