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**dudeabides** · 01-24-2010, 01:15 PM

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Heineken Cup quarter-finals seeding:
1. Munster - Pool 1 winners, 24 points
2. Biarritz - Pool 2 winners, 23
3. Toulouse - Pool 5 winners, 23
4. Leinster - Pool 6 winners, 22
5. Clermont Auvergne - Pool 3 winner, 21
6. Stade Francais - Pool 4 winner, 18
7. Ospreys - Pool 3 runner-up, 20
8. Northampton - Pool 1 runner-up, 19

Quarter-Final Draw: (Ties to be played April 9/10/11)
Munster v Northampton
Biarritz v Ospreys
Toulouse v Stade Francais
Leinster v Clermont Auvergne

Semi-Final Draw:
Toulouse v Leinster(Stade de France 14:45 GMT, 16:45 local May 1)
Biarritz v Munster(Stade de France 14:15 GMT, 16:15 local May 2)

Final: Toulouse v Biarritz(Stade de France, Paris, May 29)

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A thrilling weekend of Heineken Cup rugby has whittled down the contenders for this season's crown to the final eight and the draw for the knock-out stages has thrown up some more mouth-watering fixtures.

Defending champions Leinster will play host to Top 14 giants Clermont Auvergne in the quarter-finals of Europe's premier club competition with the winner of that clash set to travel to France to play the winner of the last eight clash between Toulouse and Stade Francais in the semi-finals. Top seeds Munster will face Northampton once again in the quarter-finals with the winner in line to face Biarritz or Ospreys in the other semi-final.

The line-up for the quarter-finals was confirmed after Leinster and London Irish played out a nerve-shredding draw at Twickenham. That result assured Leinster of a home tie and also eliminated the Exiles from the equation. But their failure meant joy for Jim Mallinder and Northampton who claimed one of the two best runners up spots despite Friday's defeat to Munster at Thomond Park. That result also guaranteed the Irish province home advantage in the quarter-finals.

Clermont Auvergne thrashed Viadana to progress as winners of Pool 3 and they were joined by the Ospreys who won a thriller against Leicester at the Liberty Stadium to claim the other best runner-up berth. Stade Francais booked their place thanks to the losing bonus-point they secured against Edinburgh at Murrayfield.

Both Biarritz and Toulouse were already assured of a place in the quarter-finals before the last round of pool action kicked off with both sides competing for home advantage in the last eight. Biarritz saw off the challenge of Glasgow and Toulouse battled past Sale to esnure two of this year's quarter-finals would be played on French soil.

Stage set for knock-out stages | Rugby Union | Heineken Cup | Rugby News | Scrum.com

**dudeabides** · 04-09-2010, 04:00 PM

In the first thrilling quarter final,
Leinster v Clermont:

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Two tries from No.8 Jamie Heaslip inspired Leinster to a nail-biting 29-28 victory over Clermont Auvergne in their Heineken Cup quarter-final at the RDS in Dublin.

All the early pressure came from Clermont with an impressive tempo forcing the hosts onto the back foot. And Les Jaunards' willingness to give the ball some width early on was rewarded with a penalty but the usually reliable Brock James pulled his attempt horribly wide of the posts.

Clermont continued to probe and kept Leinster penned inside their own half by limiting their time and space and they finally breached the defence with the vision of James opening up the well-organised defence. A neat chip over the top from the fly-half created the opening and the bounce went their way with Aurelien Rougerie latching onto the ball before feeding Malzieu for the simple score. James cemented his side's lead by slotting the conversion. A careless high tackle from Gordon D'Arcy on Malzieu following the re-start allowed Clermont to turn the screw and a cross kick from James had Leinster in more trouble with fullback Rob Kearney eventually penalised in the tackle. James underlined his class and growing confidence with a superb kick from out wide.

Leinster struggled to get a foot hold in the game and were forced to live off scraps but a strong run from blindside Kevin McLaughlin in a rare foray into the Clermont half led to a penalty that Sexton wasted no time in kicking to get his side back in the game. Spurred on by that success, Leinster found another gear with centre Brian O'Driscoll taking on the Clermont defence before flipping the ball out of the tackle to Heaslip who powered through the tackle of Morgan Parra over for a try. Sexton levelled the scores with a little help from the post.

James had the chance to restore his side's lead just moments later after Nathan Hines had been penalised for not releasing but the Australian's touch deserted him once again. An off side penalty against Stan Wright offered James the chance to redeem himself but this time he did not have the distance.

An error in judgement from fullback Anthony Floch then gifted Leinster an attacking lineout in the visitors' 22 and the home side capitalised to full effect with McLaughlin driving close before the ball was recycled to Heaslip who barrelled over for his second under the posts. Sexton's conversion gave Leinster some breathing space and it went from bad to worse for the Clermont when the No.10 landed a long range penalty as the half drew to a close. Clermont had the chance to reduce the arrears before the break but Parra, having taken over the kicking duties from James, failed to hit the target.

Clermont began the second half as they had started the first and needing the first score to keep the game alive came up trumps with Malzieu grabbing his second try just two minutes after the re-start. The forwards took the game deep into the Leinster half before the ball was worked through the hands of James and then Marius Joubert who found Malzieu and the winger had the pace to beat Shane Horgan into the corner. James was unable to make it a seven-point score from out wide but he found his range a few minutes later with his second penalty to bring his side within two points.

The rollercoaster nature of the game continued with Sexton edging his side further ahead after Clermont lock Jamie Cudmore had been penalised for not releasing the player. James then saw another kick sail agonisingly wide of the posts when his pack had forced a penalty at a scrum. But Leinster's indiscipline ensured he had another opportunity soon after and this time he made no mistake.

A slack piece of defending from Horgan then gifted Clermont the lead with Joubert charging down his clearance allowing Malzieu to scoop up the ball before charging over for his third try that was converted by James.

Back came Leinster with a an impressive string of phases to stretch the Clermont defence before a burst of power and pace from Rob Kearney was halted just short of the line but referee Dave Pearson went to the Television Match Official to confirm that the fullback and his scrum-half Eoin Reddan had failed in their attempts to ground the ball. Play was then taken back to an earlier penalty against Clermont and Sexton's successful kick made it a two-point game once again. Another sweeping move from Leinster was then illegally snuffed out by Floch who saw yellow for his deliberate knock on but Sexton was unable to exact further retribution with the touchline penalty.

Leinster continued to exert the greater pressure as the game entered the final ten minutes and inevitably Sexton was handed another shot at the posts and his fifth penalty gave his side the lead once more.

Clermont valiantly battled back into the game and the forwards dug deep to build a platform for a drop goal attempt for James but he was unable to put the icing on the cake with a nervous looking kick that went wide of the posts. With the clock ticking down, a huge scrum from Clermont earned them the next feed and the forwards then took the ball into the Leinster 22 before James dropped back into the pocket but again his effort sailed wide and the champions lived to fight another day.

Leinster book semi-final berth | Rugby Union | Heineken Cup | Rugby Match Pack | Scrum.com

**dudeabides** · 04-10-2010, 11:06 AM

Biarritz v Ospreys:

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Biarritz reached the last four of the Heineken Cup after edging out the Ospreys 29-28 in an absorbing quarter-final clash in San Sebastian on Saturday afternoon which more than matched Leinster's dramatic win over Clermont Auvergne the night before for quality and excitement.

After Damien Traille had opened the scoring with the first of his three drop goals, Takudzwa Ngwenya put the hosts in control when he produced what is likely to prove the try of the season 11 minutes in. The Ospreys only went in a point down at the interval, though, after responding with two fine tries of their own, through captain Ryan Jones and fullback Lee Byrne.

Biarritz reclaimed the momentum when Iain Balshaw grounded in the early stages of the second half only to see the Ospreys set up a dramatic finale courtesy of Nikki Walker's 75th-minute touchdown. The visitors then had the chance to nick it but Dan Biggar's drop goal attempt in injury time came up short, sparking wild celebrations at the Estadio Anoeta.

However, as the Biarritz players celebrated, their Ospreys counterparts struggled to hold back the tears after losing a game that they will feel they should have won. Indeed, they had been the better side for long spells and reacted quite brilliantly to falling behind after less than 30 seconds. The visitors failed to gather the kick-off, allowing Julien Peyrelongue to pilfer possession back for the Basques. Two phases later, Dimitri Yachvili fed the ball back to Traille, who had dropped back into the pocket, and the veteran centre split the sticks with a drop goal attempt, much to the delight of a partisan home crowd.

The Ospreys, though, then squandered two glorious try-scoring opportunities. The first came after a tremendous break from Byrne deep inside his own half. The Wales fullback stepped inside two players before bursting into Biarritz territory. Byrne had a man inside him but he unwisely decided to chip the ball wide to Shane Williams, who was promptly crowded into touch by the covering Biarritz backs.

The visitors blew another terrific opening moments later. Andrew Bishop pounced on a dreadful handling error by Balshaw in midfield but after cruising clear of two tacklers, the centre inexplicably ignored the supporting Tommy Bowe and was eventually taken into contact some 15 metres from the Biarritz line.

Unsurprisingly, the Ospreys' profligacy was punished - and in quite remarkable fashion, American winger Ngwenya crossing in the right corner after a quite stunning 85-metre run down the right wing during which he had left both Mike Phillips and Williams trailing in his wake. It was a most remarkable score and one which fully warranted the two added points which followed courtesy of Yachvili's beautifully-struck conversion attempt.

The Estadio Anoeta was rocking but the Ospreys continued to look threatening every time they got the ball in hand and they deservedly got themselves right back into the game when Jones finished smartly on 19 minutes after Williams and James Hook had combined well to unlock the Biarritz defence.

Biggar showed impressive mental strength for a 20-year-old to convert, thus bringing the Ospreys to within three points. However, Biarritz's response to Jones' score was both swift and impressive, Yachvili landing a penalty from 40 metres out before Traille slotted over another drop goal.

The Ospreys, though, were still playing the more fluid rugby and they carved Biarritz open once more five minutes before the break, Byrne diving over in the right corner after a sublime cross-field passing move. Biggar failed to convert but he nailed a fine drop goal attempt in the dying seconds of the half to leave an enthralling game beautifully poised at the break.

After seeing the Ospreys reduce a nine-point advantage to a solitary point, Biarritz unsurprisingly attempted to reassert their dominance at the start of the second half. However, a promising break from Karmichael Hunt came to nothing and Balshaw came up horribly short with a drop goal attempt, thus allowing Biggar to put the visitors in front for the first time in the match by landing a 45th-minute drop goal.

Their lead did not last long, though. Shortly after the restart, Biggar was pinged for tackling Ngwenya without the ball and Yachvili landed the resulting kick on goal with the minimum of fuss. Both Ngwenya and Yachvili were involved again when Biarritz took a firm grip on the game two minutes later. Yachvili released his right winger with a sumptuous looping pass out to the flank and after the US Eagles ace had lofted the ball forward, Balshaw was on hand to collect the bouncing ball and slide over.

Unluckily for the former England international, that was to be his last significant contribution to the game as he injured himself in the act of scoring and was forced off on 53 minutes, just as Biggar was knocking over a penalty to bring the Ospreys back to within a try.

However, Traille had not gone away and after a thrilling spell in which the action went from end to end and the momentum shifted from one side to the other, he landed his third drop goal of the game to restore Biarritz's eight-point advantage.

Biggar then saw a penalty attempt and drop goal attempt failed to find their target and it appeared that the game was up for the Ospreys. However, with just over five minutes remaining, Phillips scythed through the Biarritz defence before leaving replacement wing Walker with an easy finish under the posts.

Biggar's conversion drew the Ospreys to within a point but he failed with a last-gasp drop goal attempt and the expensively-assembled Welsh outfit had bowed at the quarter-final stage of European club rugby's premier cup competition for the third year in a row.

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**dudeabides** · 04-10-2010, 02:05 PM

Munster v Northampton:

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Munster booked yet another Heineken Cup semi-final date with an impressive 33-19 victory over Northampton in their last eight clash at Thomond Park.

Two tries from Kiwi winger Doug Howlett and further scores from fullback Paul Warwick and centre Jean de Villiers saw the Irish province account for their Premiership rivals and progress to the final four for the ninth time where they will face French side Biarritz - conquerors of Ospreys earlier in the day. The boot of fly-half Stephen Myler and a try from centre Jon Clarke had given Northampton a narrow lead at the break but they were unable to withstand a second half surge from the hosts with halfbacks Ronan O'Gara and man of the match Tomas O'Leary orchestrating Munster's march into the semi-finals.

Munster, who were stripped of talismanic skipper Paul O'Connell ahead of the game when he failed a fitness test, stole an early advantage straight from the kick off with a high hanging kick from O'Gara resulting in an off side penalty against the Saints that the experienced fly-half slotted to open the scores.

There was more trouble for the visitors soon after when a clearance kick from Myler was charged down but Northampton eventually scrambled the ball away. However, there was no let up from the hosts who rumbled back into the 22 with a strong drive and the ball was then worked through the hands to Warwick who strolled over for the first try of the game. O'Gara, who took on the captaincy in O'Connell's absence, saw his conversion attempt sail wide of the posts.

Northampton rallied strongly and when Alan Quinlan failed to roll away in the shadow of his own posts, Myler stepped up to reduced the arrears with his first penalty. More indiscipline from the hosts handed Northampton excellent field position and a cross kick from Myler to Ashton showed the Premiership side's willingness to play although the execution was poor.

A big scrum from the Saints' pack drew another penalty from their Munster counterparts on the quarter hour and Myler made not mistake from 40m to bring his side to within two points. Back came Munster with quick ball causing problems for Northampton and although Saints scrambled the ball away they were soon under the cosh again and the pressure finally told with an explosive run from O'Gara creating the chance for Howlett who forced his way over in the corner. The angle once again got the better of O'Gara when it came to the conversion.

Both sides showed a willingness to run the ball and it was the pace of Ashton that drew another penalty from Quinlan and Munster were marched back a further ten metres when the veteran flanker chose to argue the point. Myler stepped up to keep his team's hopes alive with his third penalty.

O'Gara opted to keep Northampton guessing with a drop goal attempt as the half drew to a close but his attempt was wide and some quick thinking from the drop out had Munster scrambling back in defence - but the sweeping move from Saints was let down by a forward pass on half way. Northampton ended the half on the front foot with some slick passing creating the opening for Clarke who coasted over for an easy score with the Munster defence nowhere. Myler completed an excellent first half with the conversion that saw Northampton take a 16-13 lead into the break.

Northampton picked up where they left off at the start of the second half by peppering the Munster defence but a crushing tackle from replacement Lifeimi Mafi on Bruce Reihana stopped the Saints in their tracks but hooker Jerry Flannery could only knock on as the home side looked to capitalise.

Munster were forced to weather another barrage from Northampton before the boot of O'Gara released the pressure with a great touch-finder inside the visitors' 22. The Saints claimed the ball at the lineout but Munster won the scrum feed and De Villiers cut a great line to breach the defence for a try that gave the home side the lead once more with O'Gara's conversion cementing that advantage. But Munster's indiscipline let them down again almost immediately and Myler made them pay with another excellent kick to make it a one-point game.

The tit-for-tat exchange continued with Northampton this time succumbing to the pressure allowing O'Gara to restore a four-point lead. A clearance kick from Northampton scrum-half Lee Dixon was then charged down by Marcus Horan and the Saints' No.9 was then penalised for pulling him back although replays suggested the prop was offside. O'Gara stepped up with the hope of giving his side a bit more breathing space but he pulled his kick wide.

O'Gara continued to exert more and more influence on the game with his kicking from hand dictating proceedings while Northampton opted for a change of personnel at fly-half with Shane Geraghty stepping into Myler's boots. But he was unable to prevent O'Gara stretching Munster's lead when Northampton's Jon Clarke was caught on the wrong side of a ruck.

Facing a real test of their credentials, Northampton dug deep with Geraghty and Ashton carving an opening for lock Juandre Kruger who darted for the corner before laying the ball back for prop Soane Tonga'uiha with Munster doing just enough to scramble the ball away. Munster repelled another Northampton attack soon after with David Wallace stripping the ball of Neil Best and Warwick's clearance drew a massive roar from the Thomond Park faithful.

Munster took heart from that small victory and looked to close the game out with a drop goal from Warwick but his effort was charged down. However, it resulted in a five metre scrum for the hosts and O'Leary drew two defenders before feeding Howlett for his second score. O'Gara put the icing on the cake with an excellent conversion to book his side a semi-final showdown with Biarritz.

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**dudeabides** · 04-11-2010, 02:09 PM

Toulouse v Stade Francais:

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Toulouse delivered a rugby masterclass on their way to an emphatic 39-16 victory over Stade Francais in their Heineken Cup quarter-final clash at the Stade Municipal.

Tries from man of the match Yannick Jauzion, lock Patricio Albacete and winger Cedric Heymans along with 27 points from the boot of fly-half David Skrela ended the Euro hopes of their Top 14 rivals and set up a mouth-watering semi-final showdown with defending champions Leinster next month. A try from prop Rodrigo Roncero had given Stade Francais control of the contest early on but they had no answer to the total rugby produced by the hosts in the second period that kept their dream of a fourth Heineken Cup crown alive.

In a cagey opening, both sides peppered each other with testing kicks but it was a more creative kick from Lionel Beauxis that carved the first significant opening. The fly-half breached the defensive line with chip and chase before kicking into space for Mark Gasnier to chase but the ball went against him, allowing Toulouse's Cedric Heymans to pounce on the loose ball and snuff out the danger. The hosts were then handed a chance to open the scoring when Stade Francais were guilty of coming in from the side on half way but the long-range effort from Florian Fritz fell short and wide.

A superb touch-finder from Beauxis then secured great field position for Stade and the forwards duly rumbled the ball forward before Rodrigo Roncero spilled the ball. But the visitors' willingness to play was increasingly evident. Stade's adventure was undimmed and a typically barn-storming run from centre Mathieu Bastareaud led to another strong passage of play that resulted in Roncero breaking a tackle inside the Toulouse 22 before crashing over for the first try of the game - that was converted by Beauxis.

Back came Toulouse with Yannick Jauzion and David Skrela orchestrating a drive deep into Stade territory but they were thwarted by a determined defensive unit. However, some lazy running from Roncero allowed Skrela the opportunity to reduce the arrears, which he duly took. The tit-for-tat exchange continued with Beauxis punishing some indiscipline from the home side.

Some great handling from Toulouse then had Stade scrambling and a good spell of pressure led to Skrela's second penalty. The dancing feet of fullback Clement Poitrenaud created the next opening but when Stade scrum-half Noel Oelschig pinched the ball, a huge kick from Juan Manuel Leguizamon had Toulouse in trouble before Louis Picamoles who cleared the danger.

Another hefty clearance moments later went too far, handing Toulouse a scrum on their opponents' 22, and the home side capitalised with a timely surge on the stroke of half-time that ended with Jauzion producing some exceptional handling skills before driving under Oelschig for a crowd-pleasing try. Skrela's conversion brought the curtain down on an entertaining half and ensured his side entered the break with a narrow three-point lead.

A high tackle from prop Cencus Johnston on Bastareaud at the start of the second period allowed Beauxis to level the scores but they were not on level terms for long, with Skrela edging his side ahead once again after Dimitri Szarzewski was penalised at the breakdown. But that advantage was wiped out almost immediately when Toulouse were caught off-side and Beauxis stroked over the kick. The penalty-fest continued from the re-start - prompting a word for the captains from referee Alan Lewis - with Skrela slotting the latest kick with the help of the post after Roncero was penalised for obstruction.

Toulouse looked to turn the screw and raised their game to good effect, with Jauzion carving his way through the defence after a big tackle on Gasnier had forced a turnover. The Toulouse centre was eventually sent flying by a shoulder charge from Leguizamon but Skrela was unable to slot the penalty.

Jauzion ghosted through again soon after and a sublime passage of passing involving scrum-half Byron Kelleher, Skrela, captain Thierry Dusautoir and Heymans created the opening for Albacete, who crashed over for a pivotal try. Skrela's conversion cemented the home side's lead as the game entered the final quarter.

Toulouse continued to control the contest with a frustrated hand in the ruck from Stade lock Pascal Pape allowed Skrela to put a nail in the coffin of his former side. They were soon pressing again with a superb rolling maul taking them close before Stade flanker Simon Taylor was penalised and sent to the sin-bin. Skrela's simple kick took his personal tally to 22 points but they were not finished yet.

Pressure forced yet another turnover in midfield and Fritz found Medard whose perfectly judged kick through for Heymans was met at sufficient pace to carry the winger over for his side's third try. Skrela continued his rich run of form with the conversion and he set the seal on the crushing victory with a final penalty.

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**dudeabides** · 04-26-2010, 06:02 PM

Both sides are dealing with important players' injuries in the upcoming semi:

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Biarritz have suffered a major injury setback prior to their Heineken Cup semi-final showdown with Munster in San Sebastian on Sunday, with France centre Damien Traille ruled out with a forearm injury.

Traille picked up the problem in the closing stages of Saturday's Top 14 defeat to Clermont Auvergne and will likely be sidelined for up to six weeks. There is a further worry for the Basque side as the availability of talismanic No.8 Imanol Harnordoquy is uncertain. The back-rower broke his nose against Racing Metro last weekend and will have to wear a cast for several days after undergoing surgery.

Skipper Jerome Thion believes that even with their injury problems Biarritz can pull out a result against Munster, their conquerors in the 2006 final at the Millennium Stadium, and keep alive their European hopes for next season after finishing seventh in the league.

"It is true that we didn't have a good season in the Top 14 and we have had a lot of injuries but each time we managed to regain our strengths and some cohesion within our group to play our Heineken Cup games," he told ERC. "So far, we've reached the semi-finals against Munster and we are pretty pleased with ourselves for doing that.

"When we lost our penultimate round of the Top 14 against Racing-Métro 92 it was our last chance gone of reaching sixth place in the league. It also means that we have to hope that a French club is crowned European champion next month if we want to compete in this tournament next season and it is clear that we will now throw everything we have at the Heineken Cup semi-final."

Munster have their own injury worries ahead of the trip to San Sebastian, with Paul O'Connell still yet to train due to the groin injury that has kept him out since Ireland's Six Nations defeat to Scotland.

"It's a race against the clock for Paulie," Tony McGahan admitted after his side's defeat to the Ospreys. "We're doing everything possible to get him into the frame to play. But more importantly he needs to be in the frame to train because he hasn't played for a long time. That's the first obstacle, to train, then it's a selection matter."

Other injury worries exist over Jerry Flannery (ankle) and De Villiers (ribs) who both picked up knocks at the weekend, but like Nick Williams, Tony Buckley, Doug Howlett, Ian Dowling and Keith Earls, Munster are hopeful all will be available.

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**dudeabides** · 05-01-2010, 02:27 PM

Toulouse v Leinster:

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Toulouse booked their sixth Heineken Cup Final appearance with an impressive 26-16 victory over defending champions Leinster at the Stade Municipal.

Fly-half David Skrela orchestrated a powerful and disciplined performance and crossed for the pivotal try on the hour mark as Toulouse kept their dreams of a fourth European crown very much alive with the winner of Biarritz's clash with Munster on Sunday set to provide the opposition at the Stade de France on May 22. Man of the match Skrela finished with a personal tally of 21 points, including the conversion for centre Yannick Jauzion's second half try that broke the back of a brave Leinster side determined not to relinquish their crown. A try from No.8 Jamie Heaslip offered the large travelling support hope of a late turnaround but Toulouse were not to be denied the chance taste Heineken Cup Final glory on home soil for the first time.

Steady rain greeted the sides onto the field and unsurprisingly the both sides put boot to ball in the opening moments but Toulouse soon reverted to type and with a crisp passing game that drew the first penalty of the game with Leinster's eagerness getting the better of them at the breakdown. And Skrela made them pay with an excellent kick from the touchline to the delight of the capacity crowd.

Leinster rallied with a good spell of pressure and Berne continued with the aerial assault but they got little change out of Toulouse and the hosts were quick to turn defence into attack with a thumping tackle from winger Vincent Clerc on Leinster fullback Rob Kearney drawing further praise. Leinster were not deterred with centre Brian O'Driscoll causing concern in the Toulouse 22 before a knock on gifted possession back to the hosts. A powerful scrum then shunted Leinster out of the danger zone and scrum-half Byron Kelleher cleared his lines.

The Toulouse pack were soon causing more damage at the other end of the field and the drive drew another penalty that Skrela duly slotted to double his side's lead. Berne continued to pepper the Toulouse back three but a late hit from Leinster prop Stan Wright allowed Toulouse to relieve the pressure. However, a rare error from No.8 Shaun Sowerby, who kicked the ball dead in-goal, handed Leinster another great field position and it was no surprise to see Berne opt for the boot, this time a cross kick. Space was a premium for the visitors but they recycled the ball and worked it wide where scrum-half Eoin Reddan wriggled free only to lose the ball under pressure from Clerc as he stretched to score.

The Toulouse pack continued to dominate their Leinster counterparts and another impressive scrum ended in another Skrela penalty with the visitors happy to pull the drive down rather than concede a territorial and psychological advantage. Springbok CJ van der Linde was immediately drafted into the Leinster front row is a bid to shore things up. A body-check from Kelleher on an on-rushing Kearney offered Leinster an immediate chance to respond and Berne's kick from straight in front sailed over to put the Irish side on the board. But another penalty against Leinster drew the wrath of referee Nigel Owens who demanded improvement from skipper Leo Cullen as Skrela lined up another shot at goal - with his latest effort sailing wide of the posts.

Toulouse ended the half on the front foot but were guilty of being too speculative and some determined tackling from Leinster drew a penalty that allowed Berne the chance to reduce the arrears with the last kick of the half.

Toulouse came out flying after the break with fullback Clement Poitrenaud putting Maxime Medard, a replacement for Heymans, into space before the winger launched a kick and chase down the touchline. The French international beat Reddan to the ball but was unable to ground it before sliding into touch in-goal. Kelleher was then penalised for not releasing Berne after a crunching tackle and the thumping boot of Kearney slotted the kick from the half-way line to bring his side level once again. The Toulouse pack led the fightback and another scrum penalty against Leinster handed Skrela the opportunity to restore his side's lead but again he was off-target.

Leinster were handed a final warning from Owens moments later for their latest infringement while Skrela opted this time to kick to the corner for the lineout. The following lineout move had Leinster stretched deep inside their own 22 but a forward pass handed the ball back to the visitors for the scrum. A consolidated effort secured the ball at the set-piece under pressure from a hungry Toulouse pack before the ball was cleared. They were soon under the cosh again with Clerc snagged as he closed in on the line but the ball was recycled and Jauzion powered through the tackle of Cullen and Berne down the shortside for the game's first try. Skrela rediscovered his touch with the conversion as a roar of relief rang around the stadium.

With renewed vigour, Toulouse pressed forward again looking for the killer blow and they took a giant step towards the Paris finale with the second try of the game. Skrela collected the ball on the Leinster 22 before stepping the rush defence and coasting in for the score before adding the simple conversion.

Forced to chase the game, Leinster moved the ball with purpose and a chip ahead from O'Driscoll put Gordon D'Arcy into space and although he was hauled down just short the ball was worked wide to Heaslip who took an excellent pass from winger Isa Nacewa before sliding over for a try in the corner. Faced with a difficult touchline conversion, Berne nailed the kick to keep Leinster's title defence alive.

In an increasingly open game, Reddan was then forced to scramble the ball into touch inside his own 22 and from the resulting lineout Toulouse opted for power again and that pressure at scrum time drew the inevitable penalty. Skrela's successful kick crucially took his side beyond a converted score.

Toulouse felt comfortable enough to withdraw Skrela in favour of Jean-Baptiste Elissalde as the game entered the final few minutes and the replacement No.10 was wide with a drop goal attempt as the game drew to a close. Leinster battled bravely to the final whistle but there was to be no let-up from Toulouse who powered into yet another Heineken Cup Final in some style.

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**dudeabides** · 05-02-2010, 01:30 PM

The French sides make the final, Biarritz v Munster:

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Biarritz will play French rivals Toulouse in this season's Heineken Cup Final after battling past Munster 18-7 in their semi-final showdown at the Estadio Anoeta in San Sebastien.

A faultless kicking display from scrum-half Dimitri Yachvili carried the Basque side into their second Heineken Cup Final but it was a majestic forward effort that laid the foundation for their deserved victory with talismanic No.8 Imanol Harinordoquy leading by example. A try from centre Keith Earls and a conversion from Ronan O'Gara gave Munster a narrow half-time lead but they were eventually out-muscled and saw their hopes of capturing a third European title die.

In a physical opening there were minor victories at scrum time but very little ground given from either side with the boot of O'Gara taking a central role as he probed the Biarritz defence. The home side were happy to return the ball with interest rather than gamble from deep but their inaccuracy handed Munster strong field position although a wayward drop goal attempt from fullback Paul Warwick was all they could muster.

Errors continued to plague Biarritz with centre Ayoola Erinle guilty of several blunders but Munster were not immune with a big tackle from fly-half Karmichael Hunt stripping winger Denis Hurley of the ball. A timely intercept from centre Jean de Villiers then snuffed out a promising shortside move from Biarritz but the South African's reward was a crunching tackle from hooker Benoit August.

A superb pass from Munster scrum-half Tomas O'Leary released hooker Jerry Flannery midway through the half and the Irish international surged into a huge hole in the Biarritz defence. As defenders continued to stand off him, O'Gara loomed up on his team-mate's shoulder but could not take the pass and the chance was gone. Biarritz rallied and kept the ball tight but again made very little headway as defence continued to dominate.

Munster soaked phase after phase of Biarritz pressure before hitting their hosts with a classic counter punch. De Villiers turned the ball over in midfield before lock Donncha O'Callaghan galloped up to the 22 where the ball was recycled and worked wide to Earls who coasted over for the game's opening score. O'Gara added the simple conversion to cement the Irish side's lead.

Biarritz launched an immediate riposte with a short lineout move releasing August down the short side but he was forced into touch just short of the line by lock Mick O'Driscoll. Biarritz continued to lack the precision required against a disciplined Munster side and time and time again when they showed they had the muscle to create the opening they could not find the finesse to capitalise.

But the pack came up trumps before the break with a big scrum drawing the penalty from Munster that allowed Yachvili to put his side on the board and give the noisy home crowd something substantial to cheer about.

The sun returned to San Sebastien after the break but not for Munster with a late hit from Flannery on Hunt gifting Biarritz a kickable penalty that Yachvili duly slotted between the posts to make it a one-point game. Erinle paid the price for his indifferent form a couple of minutes later as he made way for the experience of Julien Peyrelongue but errors from both sides continued to blight the game as a spectacle.

The Biarritz set piece was increasingly dominant as the half drew on but the home side's pack eagerness got the better of them with prop Eduard Coetzee caught on the wrong side of the breakdown. Perhaps anticipating that scoring opportunities would be rare in the run in, O'Gara stepped up to try his luck from long range but his effort was some way short. A clever inside pass from Yachvili put Gobelet into space in the 22 as Biarritz lifted the tempo and the ball was worked wide to fullback Iain Balshaw who was bundled into touch in the corner by a scrambling O'Leary. Munster also played their part as the pace of the game increased significantly with a quick tap almost catching Biarritz asleep but they were made to pay for their bravery moments later when Warwick was brought down by a tap tackle in the shadow of his own posts with the penalty eventually going the way of the French side. Yachvili stroked the ball through from straight in front to give his side the lead for the first time in the game.

The warrior-like Harinordoquy was forced to bow out with a rib injury but his side ensured there was no let up in the intensity in terms of their application. The pack continued to inflict the most damage but a poor drop goal attempt was not worthy of the effort that had gone before it but they had a chance to redeem themselves when a Magnus Lund charge down led to a penalty against Denis Hurley for slapping the ball into touch. Yachvili faultless kicking form then edged Biarritz a little closer to the Paris finale.

Forced to go from deep, Munster found their path blocked by a Biarritz defence that showed no signs of fatigue as the game entered the closing stages. The home side's heroic pack heaped more woe on the desperate visitors as the clock ticked down allowing Yachvili to slot his fifth penalty and a simple crossing error from the visitors allowed Biarritz's show-stealing No.9 to set the seal on the victory with his sixth and final penalty.

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**dudeabides** · 05-21-2010, 01:34 PM

A preview of the final match:

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Toulouse and Biarritz will go head-to-head for the Heineken Cup crown in Paris on Saturday in the third all-French final in the competition's illustrious 15-year history.

The stage is a familiar one for Toulouse who will be appearing in their sixth final and Les Rouge et Noir can boast a record three Heineken Cup titles following their victories in 1996, 2003 and most recently 2005. In contrast, Biarritz cannot compete in terms of pedigree but they are no strangers to European club rugby's showpiece event having graced the final in 2005 only to be vanquished by Munster.

Toulouse may have tasted defeat at this stage twice before but significantly they have not been beaten by another French side with only Munster and Wasps having beaten them at this stage of the competition. Biarritz will therefore be looking to go one better than Perpignan (2003) and Stade Francais (2005) and hand their rivals a painful home-grown defeat.

Back-to-back knock-out victories over Ospreys and Munster in the knock-out stages gives Biarritz reason to be confident that they can do just that and a 26-10 triumph over Toulouse at the Estadio Anoeta in San Sebastian in March will add further fuel to that fire. But Toulouse can also point to a domestic success having beaten the Basques 23-3 in their first Top 14 meeting of the season at the Stade Ernest Wallon in October and their form eventually carried them into the play-offs where they were beaten by Perpignan last weekend.

Biarritz's interest in the post-season ended some time ago having finished a disappointing seventh place at the end of the regular season and as a result they are in danger of not qualifying for next season's Heineken Cup. Only victory in Paris on Saturday or a win for Top 14 rivals Toulon in Sunday's European Challenge Cup Final will see them grace the competition next season.

With their Top 14 hopes campaign faltering it was no surprise to see Biarritz produce their best when it mattered most in this season's Heineken Cup. A comprehensive victory over Glasgow in the New Year set up a mouth-watering quarter-final clash with Ospreys where a sensational try from speedster Takudzwa Ngwenya lit up another spectacular day at the Estadio Anoeta that ended in a nail-biting victory. It was a more clinical Biarritz that battled past Munster in the semi-finals with the faultless boot of scrum-half Dimitri Yachvili and the warrior-like No.8 Imanol Harinordoquy, playing with a broken nose and rib, carrying them into their second Heineken Cup Final.

Toulouse's progress to the Stade de France has been no-less impressive with a solitary defeat to Cardiff Blues in the pool stages the only blot on their formbook. Guy Noves' side ended the hopes of Stade Francais in emphatic style in the quarter-finals with the ever-influential pair of centre Yannick Jauzion and fly-half David Skrela running the show and kicking Toulouse to victory. Skrela was again the key man as Toulouse ended Leinster's defence of the title at the Stade Municipal earlier this month in their semi-final clash.

Toulouse's enviable strength in depth has allowed Noves to rotate his options in recent weeks but his big guns will no doubt return to the fray for this game. The likes of Skrela, Jauzion, captain Thierry Dusautoir, a beaten finalist with Biarritz in 2006 and Toulouse in 2008, and scrum-half Byron Kelleher are set anchor their challenge with the power-based game of No.8 Shaun Sowerby and the flair of the likes of fullback Clement Poitrenaud and winger Vincent Clerc and Maxime Medard adding to the mix.

"I have been dreaming about this for a long time and I'm hoping this will be the game that sees me reach my goal of winning the Heineken Cup," commented Dusautoir this week, hoping it will be a case of third time lucky. "It is too late now to do anything in the French Championship, so we will be going 100 per cent to win in Paris."

Biarritz have more than their fair share of match-winners with the blazing speed of Ngwenya an obvious threat and the indomitable spirit of Harinordoquy another huge asset. However, they will once again be without centre Damien Traille who suffered a fractured forearm in the Top 14 defeat to Clermont Auvergne on April 24 and has lost his fitness battle. Australian Karmichael Hunt, who lined up at fly-half against Munster, switches to centre with Julien Peyrelongue set to fill the No.10 shirt where he will partner Yachvili.

"For the last 10 years Toulouse has been the top team in Europe. To beat them we will have to give everything we've got," said captain Jerome Thion this week, like Dusautoir, twice a beaten finalist with Perpignan in 2003 and Biarritz in 2006. "But the reason we are in the final is that we've all pulled together - winning this game is going to be like climbing Everest for us."

Both sides possess an abundance of creative and game-breaking talent in the backs but the magnitude of the occasion and the associated pressures suggest that this will be closely-fought contest dominated by a brutal forward battle. Toulouse look to have the edge up front but discipline will be the key with the likes of Skrela and Yachvili ready to pounce on any mistakes. As a result, do not be surprised if this final is dominated by the boot but this wouldn't be the Heineken Cup without a large dose of drama and a dozen twists and turns.

Biarritz: 15. Iain Balshaw, 14. Takudzwa Ngwenya, 13. Arnaud Mignardi, 12. Karmichael Hunt, 11. Jean-Baptiste Gobelet, 10. Julien Peyrelongue, 9. Dimitri Yachvili, 1. Eduard Coetzee, 2. Benoit August, 3. Campbell Johnstone, 4. Jérôme Thion, 5. Trevor Hall, 6. Magnus Lund, 7. Wenceslas Lauret, 8. Imanol Harinordoquy,

Replacements: 16. Romain Terrain, 17. Fabien Barcella, 18. Rémy Hugues, 19. Manuel Carizza, 20. Florian Faure, 21. Valentin Courrent, 22. Philippe Bidabe, 23. Ayoola Erinle,

Toulouse: 15. Clément Poitrenaud, 14. Vincent Clerc, 13. Florian Fritz, 12. Yannick Jauzion, 11. Maxime Medard, 10. David Skrela, 9. Byron Kelleher, 1. Jean-Baptiste Poux, 2. William Servat, 3. Benoit Lecouls, 4. Romain Millo-Chluski, 5. Patricio Albacete, 6. Jean Bouilhou, 7. Thierry Dusautoir, 8. Shaun Sowerby,

Replacements: 16. Alberto Vernet Basualdo, 17. Daan Human, 18. Census Johnston, 19. Yoann Maestri, 20. Louis Picamoles , 21. Jean-Baptiste Elissalde, 22. Yann David , 23. Cédric Heymans,

Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)

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**dudeabides** · 05-22-2010, 03:05 PM

The final, Biarritz v Toulouse:

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Toulouse, the undeniable kings of the Heineken Cup, cemented their place at the top of European rugby with a classy and clinical display to notch an incredible fourth win the world's greatest club competition.

The result may have been in doubt until the final whistle but the fact this contest went down to the wire was as much to do with Toulouse's failure to kill the game off as it was a battling Biarritz side that appeared to lack belief that they could topple their Top 14 rivals.

The boot of Toulouse fly-half David Skrela tormented Biarritz for most of the afternoon and it is the kicking exploits of the assured No.10 that their legions of fans must thank for their latest European triumph. Veteran hooker Williams Servat may have claimed the Man of the Match honour for an admirable performance at the coal face but it was Skrela pulling the strings in a vintage display of control and precision.

The 31-year-old has rediscovered a rich vein of form just in time for next year's Rugby World Cup and his efforts in steering Toulouse to the Stade de France saw him rewarded with a recent recall to Marc Lievremont's France squad - and with this kind of display he is making a big play for Francois Trinh-Duc's No.10 shirt. But that debate is for another day for this day should be about Les Rouge et Noir.

If the place was not hot enough to start, with temperatures in the French capital pushing 80 degrees, the pyrotechnics ensured we had reached boiling point by kick off. In contrast, Biarritz, despite starting brightly, were off the boil having sat out the last three weeks - an enforced rest they will surely rue as a battle-hardened Toulouse, with enviable strength in depth to power their post-season push, strangled them into submission.

This was always going to be a close contest due to the side's familiarity with each other but they managed to serve up an entertaining finale if not the most thrilling in the tournament's 15-year history.

Biarritz stole an early advantage thanks to Yachvili whose two penalties delighted their support and stunned a Toulouse side that you suspected may be still feeling the effects of their Top 14 semi-final defeat to Perpignan just a week ago. But there was no panic from Guy Noves' side, stacked as they are with experience throughout with several Heineken Cup Final veterans amongst them. But the same could not be said for their long-time coach, 17 years at the helm, who berated his star-studded line-up whilst kneeling at the touchline in his familiar pose.

The target of much of his frustration would have been Biarritz No.8 Imanol Harinordoquy who was once again at the centre of proceedings at the lineout and in the loose. But shorn of the Iron Man-like protective headgear he wore in their semi-final victory over Munster, the Basque talisman appeared stripped of some of his super powers. Instead, sporting a Phantom-esque mask he had to make do with a supporting role and his warrior-like spirit was unable to lift his side to great heights.

Bravery was also not lacking from captain Jerome Thion with the lock at the heart of his side's efforts throughout. But sadly he is left to reflect on another painful final defeat following those in the colours of Perpignan in 2003 and with his Biarritz in 2006. Toulouse muscled their way back into the contest with Fritz slotting a monster penalty from inside his half to not only put his side on the board but stop the rot that threatened to derail his side's latest bid for European glory.

Fritz went from hero to villain to allow Yachvili to restore his side's advantage but Toulouse's power game laid the platform for a comeback with Skrela pulling his side level before Fritz put them ahead for the first time in the contest just before the break. That blow seemed harsh on a Biarritz side that had more than held their own on the opening period and they were left squabbling with each other as they headed to tunnel - puzzled as to why they were left chasing the game.

As they left the field you were left thinking whether that was all that Biarritz could muster - they appeared to have thrown their best at Toulouse but had come up some way short. The Toulouse fans were baying for blood following the re-start, roaring each phase that carried their side closer to the line, demanding the killer blow as if this was a public hanging. But they were unable to lock the Biarritz defence and a crucial dropped pass from winger Maxime Medard ended a promising move.

Grateful for the reprieve, Biarritz launched a stunning counter, with hooker Benoit August of all people leading the way with a kick and chase, but he was cruelly hauled down off the ball by Toulouse lock Patricio Albacete who was sent to the sin-bin as a result. A penalty try would have been harsh with the offence having taken place on the 22 and with covering defenders in attendance but Yachvili was able to pull his side level from the kicking tee.

Suddenly the Biarritz faithful were alive and in full voice again but Toulouse's class shone through once more with no sign of panic and Skrela's boot to restore his side's lead and extend it before they were back to full strength. That would have been Biarritz's time to strike but they never looked like conjuring the score that would have seen the game swing back in their favour and instead their efforts were blighted by wild passes.

Another Skrela penalty and suddenly the game was all too one-sided. But this is the Heineken Cup - and we don't do processions. A Skrela miss offered Biarritz a lifeline but when Yachvili made way as the game entered the last ten minutes you sensed even they had conceded the game. But that wise man Noves was having none of it and could again be seen berating his side, painfully aware how games can turn when you least expect it.

And so it did - almost. Biarritz conjured a fine running line from almost nowhere with the pace of winger Takudzwa Ngwenya, shackled for much of the game, creating the space for centre Karmichael Hunt to cross for a try. Courrent's conversion flew over and suddenly it was a two-point game - how exactly I am not quite sure.

The impressive Iain Balshaw and Ngwenya were then repeatedly deployed in the hope they could find another hole in a tiring Toulouse defence but they were denied time and time again. It was left to Kiwi scrum-half Byron Kelleher to get the party started by booting the ball into touch before captain Thierry Dusautoir finally got his hands on the club game's biggest prize having himself tasted defeat at this stage on two occasions.

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