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
Latest Heineken Cup News
18 May, 15:18
The 18th season of European club rugby has reached its climax and Derek McGrath, Chief Executive of ERC, looks back at the development of both the Heineken Cup and the Amlin Challenge Cup tournaments and ahead at the challenges faced.
18 May, 13:34
ASM Clermont Auvergne are all set to make Heineken Cup history if they lift the trophy for the first time at the Aviva Stadium tonight.
18 May, 11:58
Ronan O'Gara - the Heineken Cup record points scorer - has called time on his glittering playing and is to join Racing Metro 92 as the French club's half backs coach.
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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.
Amlin Challenge Cup Teams
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News
Bortolami named Aironi skipper
27 July 2011 16:27pm
By Westgate
Marco Bortolami will captain Aironi next season
© Getty Images
Aironi have named Italian second-row Marco Bortolami their new captain for the 2011/12 season.
Bortolami, who is set to take part in his third Rugby World Cup later this year, led the Italian franchise on eleven occasions last season, in the absence of regular skipper Quintin Geldenhuys.
The former Gloucester forward has made 42 European appearances in his career and was named in Italy's World Cup squad earlier this month by national coach Nick Mallet.
His absence with the national side means Aironi head coach Rowland Phillips has chosen hooker Roberto Santamaria to lead the team for the first part of the season.
"I have choosen Marco because of his great experience as a captain at the highest level (a record 37 times as the Italian Captain). He led the team several times during last season, he knows how to face the pressure a team will face during a RaboDirect PRO12 and Heineken Cup campaign - he is a natural captain" says Phillips
"Quintin did a great job for Aironi during a very tough first season, we had a great relationship that of course will continue during next season. But I want him to focus on his rugby.
"During the World Cup period Roberto Santamaria will captain the team. I need someone who has captaincy experience, someone who is positive and is respected by the team. Roberto ticks all these boxes, he's a hard worker, he wants to improve day after day and he is an example for his teammates. I'm sure he will do a great job".
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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