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.
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
Bonnaire backs coach Cotter's assessment
20 April 2012 15:27pm
By
Julien Bonnaire believes Montpellier and Leinster share similar attacking qualities
© Getty Images
ASM Clermont Auvergne back rower Julien Bonnaire has echoed his club coach's take on their final match before their first Heineken Cup semi-final.
Clermont face Montpellier at the Stade Marcel Michelin this evening as their European encounter with Heineken Cup holders Leinster draws ever nearer.
Bonnaire and co go head-to-head with the reigning champions in Bordeaux next Sunday after a stunning success against English champions Saracens in the last eight.
Cotter has already made it clear that tonight's game not only offers a chance to move into outright first place in the Top 14 table but also gives his men the perfect opportunity to prepare for arguably their toughest test of the season.
The New Zealander believes Montpellier's attacking capabilities share similarities with those of Leinster and French flanker Bonnaire agrees.
"Tonight will be good preparation for the game in Bordeaux because Leinster and Montpellier are quite similar," said Bonnaire.
"They are very dynamic and have the ability to keep the ball alive after contact. François Trinh-Duc is able to break through a defence at any time and the fact that they have the best attack in the Top 14 is no fluke.
"But the pressure for the Heineken Cup semi-final can wait. Today we play Montpellier and the only goal is a victory. My team-mates and I never like to lose at home."
Cotter has made five changes for tonight's game from the team that saw off Sarries 22-3 a fortnight ago, with Bonnaire one of those rested with Leinster in mind.
Noa Nakaitaci and Regan King come in at wing and centre for Julien Malzieu and Aurelien Rougerie, Brock James starts at fly-half having replaced the injured David Skrela early on at Vicarage Road, Julien Pierre starts ahead of Jamie Cudmore in the second row and Bonnaire is replaced by Gerhard Vosloo on the flank.
ASM Clermont Auvergne (v Montpellier)
Byrne, Nakaitaci, King, Fofana, Sivivatu; James, Parra; Faure, Kayser, Zirakashvili, Pierre, Hines, Vosloo, Lapandry, Vermeulen
Replacements: Paulo, Debaty, Jacquet, Bardy, Radosavljevic, Malzieu, Russell, Kotze
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
