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
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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
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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
Biarritz have twin ambitions
28 April 2012 20:19pm
By Westgate
Iain balshaw wants to help send Sylvain Marconnet into retirement a happy man
Dave Rogers
© Getty Images
Biarritz Olympique will have twin ambitions when they head to the Twickenham Stoop on Friday, 18 May for the Amlin Challenge Cup final - to book their ticket into next season's Heineken Cup and give Sylvain Marconnet the perfect retirement present.
The Basque side beat Brive 19-0 at Stade Aguillera to set-up an all-French showdown with Toulon on the eve of the Heineken Cup final. Neither side has ever won a European title before.
Toulon were beaten finalists in the 2010 Amlin Challenge Cup final, while Biarritz were runners-up in the Heineken Cup in 2006 and 2010. Now they aim to make it third time lucky.
"This is a step closer to getting into the Heineken Cup next season. It's the number one club competition in the world and it means the world to Biarritz to play in it," said Biarritz full back Iain Balshaw.
"We're not going to qualify for it through the Top14 so we have a huge 80 minutes coming up against Toulon. Jonny Wilkinson kicked them to victory over Stade Francais and they are a fantastic side.
"That last minute drop goal was unbelievable, but that why he is one of the greatest players of all time. He has been doing that consistently since he was 18-years-old and I know what practice he puts in - he thoroughly deserves everything he gets.
"The final will also be the last game before Sylvain retires. He has had a fantastic career, especially given the position he plays, and we would love to send him out on a high note."
Latest ERC TV
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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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