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
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
Exciting times for Exeter
10 June 2010 12:04pm
By Westgate
Exeter Chiefs are entering their first season of European rugby
© Getty Images
Exeter Chiefs are all set for a brand new experience next season.
As well as preparing for their debut season in England's top-flight the Devon-based club will enjoy their first-ever taste of European rugby.
Exeter will become the 89th club to compete in the Amlin Challenge Cup when they take their European club rugby bow in early October.
The Chiefs will face fellow English outfit Newcastle Falcons and French duo Bourgoin and Montpellier after they were named in Pool 3 at yesterday's draw in Dublin.
And while their group-stage opponents are all seasoned European campaigners, the 2010/11 season offers a brand new challenge for European rugby's latest recruits.
"Our draw in Pool 3 is very exciting," said Exeter's head coach Rob Baxter, who guided his squad to the Guinness Premiership after a two-legged victory over promotion favourites Bristol last month.
"If you look back in Exeter's history, I don't think we have ever played Bourgoin or Montpellier and it's nice to add new fixtures to the list.
"More than that thought, the boys will look at that and know there is another exciting experience to look forward to this year."
Exeter as a club may be European newcomers but they aren't without players with continental experience.
New signings Ryan Davies and Andrew Higgins are prime examples having both played in the Heineken Cup, while impressive centre Phil Dollman featured for Newport Gwent Dragons in Europe, making five Heineken Cup appearances in 2007/08 and 2008/09 and one appearance as a replacement in the Amlin Challenge Cup.
Higgins' and Davis' former Bath team-mate James Scaysbrook was a replacement for Steve Meehan's men in the 2007 Amlin Challenge Cup final that they lost to Clermont Auvergne. The former England age-group flanker played in 13 Heineken Cup games and 26 Amlin Challenge Cup ties during his time at the Rec.
Matt Cornwell featured for Leicester in Europe's top competition; Chris Budgen tasted Heineken Cup rugby with Northampton Saints; Mark Foster played for Gloucester in the same competition; Sean Marsden wore the colours of Glasgow and Neath in the Heineken Cup; Saul Nelson did the same for Bristol and Clive Stuart-Smith was a Scarlets and Leeds scrum-half when they chased the continent's most sought-after prize.
As for the Amlin Challenge Cup, Danny Gray featured for Bristol, as did Haydn Thomas who also starred for Gloucester, while Sean Tomes played in the tournament while at Newcastle Falcons.
And among their coaching staff they have Ali Hepher, a Heineken Cup winner with Northampton Saints in 2000 and Ricky Pellow, who was an unused replacement for Bath during their heroic final triumph over Brive in 1998.
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