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.
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.
"TODAY YOU must do more than is required of you. Never think that you have done enough or that your job is finished."
THE overriding question for today's Heineken Cup final is whether this is the dawn of a new period of French hegemony in Europe.
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.
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.
KEITH EARLS is expected to be named in the Munster starting team for tomorrow's Heineken Cup semi-final against Clermont Auvergne in Montpellier.
Clermont Auvergne coach Vern Cotter said they would pay a huge price if they underestimate Munster in tomorrow's Heineken Cup semi-final.
Ronan O'Gara will make his 110th European Cup appearance tomorrow. Undoubtedly, he will also add to his record points total of 1,360.
PETER O'MAHONY grew up with a stable of back-row forwards he admired and, if he's pushed to admit, dreamed of emulating.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 is difficult to understand the emotions James Downey must have felt at finally being a part of one of Munster's 'European moments.'
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.
PAUL O'CONNELL has been tipped to captain the Lions by both Conor O'Shea and Rob Penney.
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.
MUNSTER'S Red Army are preparing for a mass invasion of the south of France in less than three weeks.
Blood dominated the last quarter-final here at the Stoop. On that occasion, in 2009, it was doused in shameful fakery.
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.
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 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 Auvergne marched into the semi-finals of the Heineken Cup with a commanding win at home to Montpellier.
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.
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.
They haven't gone away you know.
England star Owen Farrell readily admits that Saracens love "a big occasion".
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 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.
HARLEQUINS sealed qualification for the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup with a convincing win over a stubborn Connacht at the Stoop.
James Anderson reached 300 Test wickets for England against New Zealand and Sir Ian Botham backs him to beat his record haul of 383 wickets. Sir Ian Botham was speaking at the re-launch of Unibet in the UK where its 'Unibet Summer of Sport' ad campaign featuring Sir Ian Botham and Gavin Hastings.
With Andy Murray struggling with injury, former Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic says the world number two shouldn't compete in the French Open if he is not fully fit - and tips a revitalised Rafael Nadal to win the title again.Goran Ivanisevic was speaking at the re-launch of Unibet in the UK where its Unibet Summer of Sport ad campaign featuring Sir Ian Botham and Gavin Hastings.
Former British and Irish Lions captain Gavin Hastings expects to see Jonny Wilkinson in the fabled red jersey on this summer's tour to Australia. World Cup-winning former England fly-half Wilkinson has been in imperious form with European champions Toulon this season, but declined an initial approach from Lions head coach Warren Gatland citing club commitments and his weary body.
Fraser Duncan, riding for Dublin West Eurocycles, says he is delighted to lead the amateur field after the second day of the An Post Rás 2013.
Nineteen year-old Jasper De Buyst, riding for the Belgium National Team, leads the under 23's competition following Day two of The Rás.
The Stage was won by New Zealander Seán Archbold riding for Belgium An Post Chainreaction Sean Kelly.
Carl Froch finally has the chance for a rematch with Mikkel Kessler after a three-year wait and is looking to win the fight this time.
The squad and the backroom staff boarded an open-top bus at their Christopher Park training ground before making their way into the Market Place, where thousands of supporters were waiting to welcome them.
Carl Froch finally has the chance for a rematch with Mikkel Kessler after a three-year wait and is looking to win the fight this time.
British and Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland has ruled out making another offer to Jonny Wilkinson to join the forthcoming tour to Australia.