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This triumph beats World Cup - Wilkinson
TOULON dashed the cup of victory from desperately seeking Clermont Auvergne lips on Saturday in an achievement their captain Jonny Wilkinson suggested even surpassed his 2003 World Cup victory with England.
Wilkinson's warrior spirit drives on troops
"TODAY YOU must do more than is required of you. Never think that you have done enough or that your job is finished."
Cotter's romantics no match for Toulon's bruising realists
THE overriding question for today's Heineken Cup final is whether this is the dawn of a new period of French hegemony in Europe.
Brave Munster go down fighting
A brave Munster effort came up just short against Europe's finest team as Clermont Auvergne moved to within 80 minutes of becoming the first ever side to lift the Heineken Cup with nine straight wins.
Reds ready to roar in France
It is a path well worn and Munster hope that this latest expedition to France, with the odds stacked against them, will provide another chapter in the fascinating story of the Reds and the Heineken Cup.
Earls return boosts Munster ahead of Clermont showdown
KEITH EARLS is expected to be named in the Munster starting team for tomorrow's Heineken Cup semi-final against Clermont Auvergne in Montpellier.
We will not underestimate gutsy Munster, insists Cotter
Clermont Auvergne coach Vern Cotter said they would pay a huge price if they underestimate Munster in tomorrow's Heineken Cup semi-final.
John Kelly: Peerless O'Gara can make the difference yet again
Ronan O'Gara will make his 110th European Cup appearance tomorrow. Undoubtedly, he will also add to his record points total of 1,360.
O’Mahony fired up for battle with boyhood hero Bonnaire
PETER O'MAHONY grew up with a stable of back-row forwards he admired and, if he's pushed to admit, dreamed of emulating.
They would have thrown book at me for O'Connell kick – Cudmore
Clermont hardman Jamie Cudmore has declared that he has no issues with the availability of Paul O'Connell ahead of this Saturday's Heineken Cup semi-final in Montpellier – even though he says if he had been involvd in a similar incident, it would have ended his career.
Red army of 5,000 fans ready for French adventure
A Red army of over 5,000 will travel by car, camper-van, train, ferry and flight in order to watch Munster take to the rugby field in Montpellier this weekend.
We have learnt lessons of last-four loss to Leinster, warns Parra
France scrum-half Morgan Parra says that Clermont Auvergne have been working overtime in the video analysis room in a bid to ensure they don't get caught by Munster in Saturday's Heineken Cup semi-final.
Routing Toulouse ideal build-up for Clermont - Hines
Former Leinster lock Nathan Hines reckons that Clermont's emphatic 39-17 victory over Toulouse is the ideal build-up to Saturday's Heineken Cup semi-final against Munster, WRITES JOHN FALLON.
Merciless Clermont ready to pounce
THE magnificent scenes at the end of the 2009/10 Top 14 final at the Stade de France carried a special significance for the victors Clermont Auvergne and not just because the victory came at the 11th time of asking.
'It was a special feeling'
IT is difficult to understand the emotions James Downey must have felt at finally being a part of one of Munster's 'European moments.'
Nine days to save a year
If ever you needed proof that a season can change absolutely in 80 minutes then the Harlequins victory was it, as Munster defied the evidence of a low-key campaign by summoning up a performance of style and substance from their rich history.
'Majestic' O'Connell backed to lead Lions
PAUL O'CONNELL has been tipped to captain the Lions by both Conor O'Shea and Rob Penney.
Anscombe takes dire Ulster display on chin
A few days after Ulster spanked Northampton Saints in Franklin's Gardens last January to win their 13th successive game, a local paper carried a comprehensive feature that now smacks of excessive hubris.
Red Army ready to march on France
MUNSTER'S Red Army are preparing for a mass invasion of the south of France in less than three weeks.
Redeemed by real blood and real guts
Blood dominated the last quarter-final here at the Stoop. On that occasion, in 2009, it was doused in shameful fakery.
Tony Ward: Superman is looking for his Paul O'Connell pyjamas once again
THEY knew they needed to turn back the clock and that's what they did – and how. Munster didn't become the worst team in the world in Glasgow, no more than they became the best team in Europe at the Stoop yesterday.
Bridge too far for brave Ulster
After the torrid weekend England's clubs had endured in Europe, with Gloucester, Wasps and Bath all tumbling out of the Amlin Challenge Cup, the one flag you felt sure would be still flying by close of business last night was the black and red of Saracens. The warning shot they fired when sorting out Harlequins in the Premiership two weeks ago was enough to make you take cover. They didn't give the ball as much air here yesterday but, in front of a crowd of 37,888, they didn't leave any questions unanswered.
Toulon battling to the top on two fronts
Toulon have become renowned as the big spenders of European rugby, stockpiling talent from all over the world with the South Africa wing Bryan Habana the latest leading international to join them, but it was only 12 years ago that they faced ruin with financial problems.
Clermont cruise into last four
Clermont Auvergne marched into the semi-finals of the Heineken Cup with a commanding win at home to Montpellier.
Howlett ruled out as Simon Zebo returns to Munster starting XV
MUNSTER captain Doug Howlett will miss Munster’s Heineken Cup semi-final against Harlequins on Sunday but Simon Zebo returns to take his place on the wing.
Tommy Bowe returns to bolster Ulster’s options for showdown with Saracens
Ulster winger Tommy Bowe has recovered from a serious knee ligament injury to take his place on the bench for Ulster’s crunch Heineken Cup quarter-final with Saracens at Twickenham tomorrow.
Schmidt targets launch pad of Challenge glory
They haven't gone away you know.
Owen Farrell relishing the prospect of classic showdown with Ulster at Twickenham
England star Owen Farrell readily admits that Saracens love "a big occasion".
Zebo targets return for Harlequins clash
SIMON ZEBO looks set to give Munster a major boost after declaring that he is on track to come back in time for the province's crunch Heineken Cup quarter-final against Harlequins.
Munster boost as Jones and Varley sign contract extensions
Munster stars Felix Jones and Damien Varley have agreed contract extensions that will keep them at Thomond Park until the end of the 2014-15 season.
Stubborn Connacht eventually go down heavily at Harlequins
HARLEQUINS sealed qualification for the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup with a convincing win over a stubborn Connacht at the Stoop.
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Fans greet Wigan's cup final heroes
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Froch ready for Kessler rematch
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Gatland moving on from Wilkinson
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