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
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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.
18 May, 18:58
Toulon are the Heineken Cup champions - but they had to come back from a nine-point deficit to stun ASM Clermont Auvergne with a 16-15 victory built on sheer never-say-die grit and determination.
Marc Heywood
18 May, 18:58
Toulon are the Heineken Cup champions - but they had to come back from a nine-point deficit to stun ASM Clermont Auvergne with a 16-15 victory built on sheer never-say-die grit and determination.
Marc Heywood
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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
Irish confirm player departures and arrivals
1 August 2012 12:02pm
By
Brian Smith: London Irish Director of Rugby
Getty Images
London Irish, who will compete in the 2012/13 Amlin Challenge Cup, have confirmed their player departures and arrivals for the coming season.
Second row forward, Bob Casey, retired from rugby at the end of last season after 10 seasons at Sunbury. During his time with the club the big Irishman made 235 appearances, scoring six tries. Bob has taken up a position with London Irish sponsor Powerday to become their Senior Business Development Manager.
England Internationals Nick Kennedy and Delon Armitage have both moved to France to continue their careers with Toulon. Kennedy and Armitage are London Irish Academy graduates who have risen through the ranks with former Head Coach, Toby Booth. Nick made 217 appearances, scoring five tries and Delon made 167 appearances scoring 55 tries.
Other London Irish stalwarts who have left the club include Paul Hodgson and Kieran Roche. Hodgson, who made 208 appearances and scored 11 tries, is continuing his career with Worcester Warriors. Roche has decided to retire and will be taking a job in London. Kieran made 180 appearances for the Exiles and scored five tries.
New Zealand International and club captain for the past two seasons, Clarke Dermody (108 appearances)has retired from rugby. Meanwhile, Richard Thorpe departs after making 127 appearances for the Exiles and former South African International, Faan Rautenbach (136 appearances) has also moved on.
Academy graduate Adam Thompstone, who made 52 appearances, also left last season to join Leicester Tigers.
Other players who have left the club include Tom Alexander (1 appearance), Daniel Bowden (50 appearances), Mark George (3 appearances), Shontayne Hape (12 appearances), Adrian Jarvis (18 appearances), Guy Armitage (9 appearances), Ross Samson (14 appearances) and Jonathan Spratt (11 appearances).
London Irish Director of Rugby, Brian Smith said: "We would like to thank each of the players for their efforts during their time at London Irish. We wish them all the very best and every success for the future."
London Irish has signed the following players for the 2012/13 season: Halani Aulika, Jon Fisher, Shane Geraghty, Cai Griffiths, Ian Humphreys, Scott Lawson, Tomás O'Leary, Setaimata Sa, George Skivington, Shaun Malton, Michael Worrincy and Conor Gaston.
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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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