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.
- ENG
- FRA
- ITA
ERC
ERC
Latest ERC News
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
Latest Heineken Cup News
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.
Heineken Cup Teams
 |  |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |  |
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.
Amlin Challenge Cup Teams
 |  |  | |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |  |
|  |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  | |  |
News
Kearney reflects on Heineken Cup heartache
26 July 2011 11:10am
By
Getty Images
On the mend following knee surgery, Rob Kearney is aiming to put last season's personal Heineken Cup disappointment behind him as he sets his sights on the World Cup.
Kearney had to sit out Leinster's dramatic triumph over the Northampton Saints at the Millennium Stadium last May as he recovered from cartilage damage sustained during the 2010 autumn internationals.
"It was brutally hard to miss the Heineken Cup final," he told skysports.com. "That weekend was the toughest weekend I've had to experience as a professional. Injuries are something you just can't avoid and you have to come to accept them but it was hard to be out while my team-mates were winning silverware."
Kearney, though, is now back to full fitness and has his sights set on Ireland's forthcoming World Cup campaign. "The knee feels brilliant," he said. "I've been back in full training for two months now and it has gone well. I'm just looking forward to my first match back.
"It would have been nice to have been back for the Heineken Cup final but I suppose it is really good timing to push for a World Cup spot.
"I've been in full contact and all is good. I gave it an extra few weeks to be certain and to be a bit clever about it and I've had no trouble.
Ireland have been rated as the dark horses ahead of the tournament in New Zealand, with All Blacks legend Jonah Lomu among those backing them as the ones to watch out for.
Meanwhile, reigning Heineken Cup champions, Leinster, are already looking ahead to the defence of their title when when they travel to play Montpellier at Stade de la Mosson on Saturday, 12 November.
"It was brutally hard to miss the Heineken Cup final," he told skysports.com. "That weekend was the toughest weekend I've had to experience as a professional. Injuries are something you just can't avoid and you have to come to accept them but it was hard to be out while my team-mates were winning silverware."
Kearney, though, is now back to full fitness and has his sights set on Ireland's forthcoming World Cup campaign. "The knee feels brilliant," he said. "I've been back in full training for two months now and it has gone well. I'm just looking forward to my first match back.
"It would have been nice to have been back for the Heineken Cup final but I suppose it is really good timing to push for a World Cup spot.
"I've been in full contact and all is good. I gave it an extra few weeks to be certain and to be a bit clever about it and I've had no trouble.
Ireland have been rated as the dark horses ahead of the tournament in New Zealand, with All Blacks legend Jonah Lomu among those backing them as the ones to watch out for.
Meanwhile, reigning Heineken Cup champions, Leinster, are already looking ahead to the defence of their title when when they travel to play Montpellier at Stade de la Mosson on Saturday, 12 November.
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.
Tournament Partners
Tournament Suppliers
Broadcast Partners
Media Partners
