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**dudeabides** · 04-09-2010, 05:05 PM

A preview of this weekends' knock out stages:

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The European Challenge Cup will break new ground this weekend as for the first time three runners-up from the Heineken Cup group stage drop into the quarter-finals. Gloucester, Cardiff Blues and the Scarlets all extended their European seasons after mixed displays in Europe's top competition and they will add an extra spark to a last-eight featuring plenty of big names.

The knock-out stages kick off in Galway on Saturday afternoon as Michael Bradley's Connacht look to keep their winning run alive against last season's beaten finalists Bourgoin. The Irish side have nothing to fear in facing French opposition after beating Montpellier home and away during the pool stages, doing the same to Worcester, but Bourgoin have bags of heart and will do all they can to defy the French stereotype of being bad travellers.

John Muldoon leads Connacht and starts at blindside, with Ian Keatley and Frank Murphy starting at halfback. Ireland international hooker Sean Cronin starts alongside Brett Wilkinson and Jamie Hagan in the front-row.

On Saturday night there will be a battle of two Lions fly-halves as Stephen Jones of the Scarlets takes on long-time rival Jonny Wilkinson and Toulon at the Stade Felix Mayol. Toulon are a fearsome proposition at home and have been flying high in the Top 14 and while the odds are stacked against the boys from Llanelli they have been producing performances that their results do not reflect. Having beaten London Irish and Brive home and away in the Heineken Cup their European form has far outweighed their domestic performance, but they remain up against it.

Jones is partnered at halfback by the youthful Tavis Knoyle while Sean Lamont starts against his brother's club, although fellow Scotland international Rory is ruled out of the game by injury. Hooker Matthew Rees has failed to recover from a neck injury so misses out, with Ken Owens taking the No.2 jersey.

Wilkinson partners skipper Matt Henjak at halfback for Toulon, who also hand a start to former Newcastle utility Tom May in the centre, alongside Sonny Bill Williams.

On Sunday the action kicks-off with an all-English affair at Adams Park where Wasps host Gloucester. The Cherry and Whites turned their fortunes around in the latter stages of the Heineken pools and with their place in next season's tournament not secure due to their Premiership standing, the Challenge Cup could represent a big opportunity for Bryan Redpath's men.

Danny Cipriani returns in place of Dave Walder in the Wasps No.10 jersey and there is one further change in the backline, where Ben Jacobs replaces Mark van Gisbergen at fullback. In the pack, Tom Rees drops to the bench and is relieved by Serge Betsen at openside. Simon Shaw returns from a shoulder injury among the replacements.

After a match-winning display against Saracens Freddie Burns is given another chance to impress in the Gloucester fullback slot, with Mike Tindall returning to captain the side after an injury layoff.

The final last eight tie comes at Kingston Park, where Newcastle Falcons host Cardiff Blues. Both sides have endured mixed seasons although the Blues have shown glimmers of form in recent victories over Ulster. The home side have been boosted by Micky Young's return from a back injury and the pacy scrum-half starts alongside Jimmy Gopperth. Alex Tait returns at fullback following an ankle problem while Brent Wilson bolsters their back-row.

Centre Casey Laulala was a fitness doubt for the Blues but he has been passed fit to take his place alongside Jamie Roberts in midfield. Andy Powell has been ruled out with calf and hamstring problems, with Maama Molitika joining Martyn Williams and Xavier Rush in the back-row. The return to fitness of Deiniol Jones also means that there is no place in the second-row alongside Bradley Davies for club captan Paul Tito. Gethin Jenkins leads the Blues in his absence and will go head-to-head with Falcons skipper Carl Hayman.

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**dudeabides** · 04-10-2010, 06:12 PM

Connacht v Bourgoin:

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Connacht secured a home semi-final in the Amlin Challenge Cup with a tremendous last-quarter fight-back against Bourgoin in brilliant sunshine at the Sportsground.

Replacement Miah Nikora, the late hero against Edinburgh in the Magners League last week, showed his coolness under pressure once again, with the New Zealander kicking two penalties and the match-winning drop goal.

When scrum-half John Senio sniped through for Bourgoin's second try, converted by Benjamin Boyet, the French side led 20-14 and looked poised to defeat the number one seeds at the quarter-final stage for the second year running.

London Irish fell to them twelve months ago, but Connacht, aided by a yellow card for Boyet, raised their game superbly in the final 20 minutes, with their forwards doing the hard graft and Nikora nailing his kicks.

Penalties in the 66th and 73rd minutes levelled an absorbing tie and following a series of pick-and-goes from the home pack, the Kiwi out-half knocked over a well-struck drop goal to earn Connacht a gritty victory - their eighth on the trot at home.

Michael Bradley's men faced into a blustery wind in the opening half and Boyet had two early penalty attempts from the 45-metre range which he pushed to the right.

Connacht hit the front on the quarter-hour. The destructive George Naoupu bulldozed across the gain-line, Ian Keatley knocked a penalty to touch and experienced lock Michael Swift, with support from Brett Wilkinson, crashed over to the left of the posts.

Keatley landed the conversion but failed to punish France international Olivier Milloud for a scrum offence ten minutes later as his penalty effort drifted away from the target.

Connacht had their tails up but they missed out on a certain try in the 27th minute. Scrum-half Murphy got a favourable bounce as he chased his own kick but, with the Bourgoin rearguard completely stretched, lock Mike McCarthy knocked on with the line in his sights.

The hosts paid the price just three minutes later as Bourgoin shunned a kickable penalty and hooker Tone Kopelani was able to burst clean through the middle of a ruck and dive over in the right corner, with Boyet converting.

A foot in touch robbed Keatley of a try after good work by Niva Ta'auso and captain John Muldoon was also called back for a knock-on as Connacht pressed for their second try.

They did not have long to wait as, five minutes before the break, a wrap-around move involving Kiwi Naoupu in midfield put centre Keith Matthews roaring through a gap and he drew the cover to send Muldoon powering over for a converted score.

Boyet kicked Bourgoin back to 14-10 as half-time approached and although a late, pacy break from full-back Gavin Duffy engineered a penalty for Keatley, his drilled attempt from wide on the right faded in the difficult wind.

Bourgoin made changes for the second half, the most significant seeing Boyet reverting to full-back and Sebastien Laloo introduced. Indiscipline from Connacht soon allowed Boyet kick the first of two early penalty attempts, making it 14-13.

The wind-backed hosts struggled for territory and Bourgoin took a deserved lead in the 58th minute when Senio spotted a mismatch on the 22, darted through a gap and dotted down despite the best efforts of Duffy.

Boyet converted and the game seemed to be slipping from Connacht's grasp as Keatley missed a penalty from distance.

However, with Sean Cronin, Swift, Muldoon and Johnny O'Connor putting in heroic displays, Connacht rose to the challenge. As Murphy looked to pass left from a ruck in front of the Bourgoin posts, Boyet slapped the ball out of his hands and a yellow card was the only option.

Nikora, on for Keatley, landed the resulting penalty and, after Laloo had missed a drop goal, the Connacht replacement rewarded his forwards with the levelling penalty.

The momentum was clearly with Connacht now and, having missed a drop from further out just two minutes earlier, Nikora was right on the money with his 79th-minute attempt to send the westerners through to the last four of Challenge Cup for the first time since 2005.

RTÉ Sport: Connacht 23-20 Bourgoin

**dudeabides** · 04-10-2010, 06:15 PM

Toulon v Scarlets:

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Toulon booked their passage with a thumping 38-12 victory over the Scarlets at the Stade Felix Mayol with fly-half Jonny Wilkinson landing 13 points to end Wales' interest in Europe this season. Wilkinson was outstanding as Toulon ran in five tries, three in a rampant final eight minutes. For the Scarlets, Wales and Lions fly-half Stephen Jones kicked four penalties, but there was little else to cheer for the travelling supporters.

Wilkinson landed the game's first points after nine minutes with a superb penalty strike from the touchline. The Scarlets responded with a penalty from opposite number Stephen Jones, who then missed a far easier attempt to make it 6-3.

Hooker Phil Fitzgerald went close for Toulon after bursting away from a ruck, but the final pass found the arms of Jonathan Davies instead of a red jersey and it then needed a try-saving tackle from Kiwi centre Regan King on former Newcastle centre Tom May to deny the home side again.

The Scarlets moved ahead on 23 minutes with Jones rediscovering his accuracy with a long-range penalty. However, the lead was short-lived, with Toulon bringing a partisan crowd to their feet with the game's opening try from right wing Clement Marienval, created by a quick tap from skipper Matt Henjak and brilliantly converted by Wilkinson.

There were some ominous signs for the Scarlets as Toulon's pack began to exert control and with Wilkinson in imperious form with the boot. The fly-half extended the lead to 13-6 five minutes before the interval, then added another penalty on the stroke of half-time.

The Scarlets needed a strong response, but the second period started in the worst possible fashion for the Welshmen. There seemed little on when Marienval received a pass 35 metres out, but he showed a blistering turn of pace to chase his own kick, showing Scotland wing Sean Lamont a clean pair of heels on the way to the whitewash for his second try.

Two penalties from Jones reduced the arrears, then some great work from King almost brought the Scarlets a try. Toulon lost Marienval to the sin bin after 52 minutes, but the Scarlets failed to take advantage with Rob McCusker suffering a similar fate eight minutes later.

With the visitors tiring, Toulon ran in three tries in the last eight minutes through wing Jeremy Sinzelle, former rugby league star Sonny Bill Williams and the man of the match, flanker Olivier Missoup.

Connacht and Toulon progress to final four | Rugby Union | European Challenge Cup | Rugby News | Scrum.com

**dudeabides** · 04-11-2010, 03:17 PM

Wasps v Gloucester:

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Tom Varndell helped himself to a hat-trick as Wasps progressed to the last four of the European Challenge Cup with an exciting 42-26 victory over over Guinness Premiership rivals Gloucester at Adams Park.

Early tries from Ben Jacobs and Serge Betsen put the hosts in control and even though Adam Eustace replied for the Cherry and Whites, Varndell's treble put Wasps out of sight.

Gloucester had started brightly and took the lead with a penalty from No.10 Nicky Robinson. However, Wasps responded with a try, fullback Jacobs finishing off a sweeping passing move which he had started.

Robinson and Cipriani then exchanged penalties before the latter put Betsen away to score Wasps' second try on 22 minutes. However, Cipriani undid all his good work by twice failing to halt Jonny May as he went about setting up Eustace for the score which got Gloucester right back into the game.

It was then, though, that Varndell decided to light up the game. He bagged his first just before the interval, the former Leicester Tigers ace touching down after evading Freddie Burns and Lesley Vainikolo.

Robinson's goal-kicking kept Gloucester in touch but Varndell was to strike again on 72 minutes, this time after Joe Simpson, Cipriani, Kefu, Dominic Waldouck and, lastly, Jacobs had all combined to set him away.

Charlie Sharples briefly raised hopes of a late Gloucester comeback when he crossed shortly after coming on as a replacement but Varndell, quite fittingly, had the final say, completing his hat-trick with the final play of the game.

Cardiff Blues v Newcastle:

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Wasps will now meet Cardiff Blues in a mouth-watering semif-final after the Welsh region recorded a stunning 55-20 rout of the Newcastle Falcons at Kingston Park later in the day.

The victors racked up seven tries in total, with Taufa'ao Filise bagging a brace and Casey Laulala, Martyn Williams, Ben Blair, Jamie Roberts and Ceri Sweeney all scoring one apiece. Blair converted every try and also added two penalties for good measure as he ended with 25 points to his name. Newcastle managed two tries of their own, through Charlie Amesbury and Micky Young, while fly-half Jimmy Gopperth added 10 points with the boot.

The Blues bossed proceedings right from the first whistle and they opened their account with just nine minutes on the clock, Laulala crashing over after Richie Rees had exploded off the back of a five-metre scrum.

Gopperth hit back with a penalty for the home side but the Falcons made a mess of attempting to gather the subsequent restart and their sloppiness eventually led to Williams worming his way over for Cardiff's second try.

Amesbury lifted the Kingston Park crowd when he shrugged off challenges from Williams and Deiniol Jones to score on 16 minutes. Gopperth added the extras and then stroked over a penalty to draw Newcastle to within a point of their visitors.

However, that was to be as close as the Falcons would get. After Blair had landed a penalty to send the Blues in 17-13 up at the interval, the Blues set about blowing Newcastle away in the second half with a fine exhibition of attacking rugby.

Filise burrowed over after Xavier Rush and Bradley Davies had softened up the Falcons defence before Williams put Blair over in the 53rd minute. There was no containing Cardiff now and Roberts cruised over two minutes later after a terrific passing move. Filise crossed again before the hour, the prop the beneficiary of some good work from Paul Tito.

Young added a modicum of respectability to the scoreline when he touched down shortly after the hour but the Blues were not done and Sweeney put the seal when he dotted after a wonderful run from Wales wing Leigh Halfpenny.

Meanwhile, Connacht and Toulon will meet in the other semi-final after they racked up vastly different victories over Bourgoin and Scarlets respectively on Saturday afternoon.

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**dudeabides** · 04-30-2010, 09:13 PM

The semi's are upon us, and Connacht were home to Toulon in the first:

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A try just before half-time from centre Mafileo Kefu gave Toulon a 19-12 victory over Connacht at the Sportsground to set up their dream European Challenge Cup final in Marseille.

The glitzy French Top 14 side, fresh from finishing second in the league to champions Perpignan, were made to fight every step of the way by a Connacht side lacking in star names but overflowing with heart. In front of a packed house the home side did not give an inch, scrapping and cajoling their more illustrious opponents for the full 80 minutes in an enthralling contest.

Toulon's delight at the final whistle was evident for all to see and they now have a final at the Stade Velodrome against Wasps or Cardiff Blues to look forward to. Jonny Wilkinson complemented Kefu's try with 14 points from the boot while Ian Keatley kicked all of the home side's points.

Gavin Duffy won the game's first penalty after little more than 20 seconds, and roared on by the home faithful Keatley made no mistake from dead in front. The ferocity in the home crowd was matched by the visitors on the field though and Connacht were left chasing shadows in the opening minutes. Fullback Luke Rooney was inches away from adding the finishing touches to a Wilkinson cross-kick and almost sparked a score with a rasping blindside break.

Wilkinson slotted the levelling penalty but while Toulon utterly dominated territory and possession Connacht held firm. A Tom May drop-goal slid wide and Wilkinson saw a similar effort also fall harmlessly past the uprights. Wilkinson finally procured the lead for his side with a long-range penalty but a clumsy offside handed the three back to Keatley immediately. Connacht had ridden their luck in the early stages but with an opportunistic score the crowd remained in fine voice, the volume dipping only slightly as Wilkinson finally found his range with a drop-goal.

Toulon No.8 Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe terrorised Connacht as the first-half progressed, alternating between rollicking bursts in the loose and telling, physical forays into the breakdown battle. His surge along the blindside opened Connacht up, but Gabiriele Lovobalavu knocked on at the crucial moment.

As Toulon's frustration built Wilkinson was relieved to see Niva Ta'auso knock the ball forward as he pounced on a loose pass for an intercept, the Toulon pivot composing himself moments later to knock over his third penalty from distance. Another obstruction by Toulon at the kick-off allowed Keatley to take another bite out of the deficit but a rare lapse in discipline as the half petered out allowed Toulon a vital foothold.

Having won a penalty, Toulon elected for a scrum five metres out and after 10 minutes of resets and the threat of a penalty try, Matt Henjak plucked the ball from the base and fired an inch-perfect pass to Kefu, who carved clean through Connacht's defensive line to score under the posts.

Immediately after the break Keatley reduced Connacht's arrears with his fourth penalty but the home side were again forced to absorb massive pressure. Wilkinson missed with another drop-goal attempt after Keatley had marginally overcooked a clearance and Connacht were able to clear their lines when Toulon's over enthusiasm at the breakdown cost them.

After an hour Connacht finally punctured Toulon's 22, hacking away at the visitors' defence through their forwards, noticeably former Highlanders No.8 George Naoupu. Toulon scrabbled across to soak up the pressure and eventually had to haul Sean Cronin into touch inches from the try-line. Connacht were not to be deterred and through Jonny O'Connor and Cronin they again took up the charge close to the Toulon line.

With safe ball from a scrum Connacht went again, bashing away at Toulon inches from the whitewash. Time and again the forwards rumbled on, only for the aggressive away defence to come out on top in the form of a desperate turnover and pressure-relieving penalty. Miah Nikora, on for Keatley, sent a 47m penalty just wide of the sticks and Connacht saw another opportunity go begging when a breakdown penalty wasted a brilliant outside break and offload from Ta'auso. With moments remaining another burst from Cronin had the Sportsground crowd on their feet, but all that they could applaud was the bravery of their side as again the ball rolled Toulon's way, this time decisively.

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**dudeabides** · 05-02-2010, 04:34 AM

Wasps v Cardiff in the 2nd:

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Cardiff Blues booked their place in this season's European Challenge Cup Final with a battling 18-15 victory over London Wasps at Adams Park.

Tries from winger Leigh Halfpenny and prop Gethin Jenkins, the boot of fullback Ben Blair and a man of the match performance from No.8 Xavier Rush carried the region into their first European final with French side Toulon, conquerors of Connacht in Friday night's other semi-final, awaiting them at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille on May 23. Fly-half Dave Walder kicked Wasps into a narrow half-time lead but the sin-binning of veteran lock Simon Shaw proved the turning point in what was departing duo Danny Cipriani and Paul Sackey's final home game for the club.

A torrential downpour in the lead up to the game ensured the teams were greeted by atrocious playing conditions when they took to the field and the rain continued to fall as referee Romain Poite signalled the start of the game. The elements were soon playing a significant part in proceedings with a rampaging run from Rush causing havoc before the slippery ball escaped him. Wasps fullback Mark van Gisbergen failed to deal with the danger and Blues fullback Blair swooped in and claimed a try but play was called back for a knock on. The decision looked harsh on the visitors on second viewing but the referee opted against going to the Television Match Official. The Blues continued to press and a penalty offered Blair the chance to open the scores but he pushed his effort wide of the posts.

Some aimless kicking form both sides was then given some direction with the sodden pitch adding some zip to an effort from Blair with the resulting touch giving the visitors great field position. But an early engagement at the scrum conceded possession and territory back to Wasps. A great kick and chase from Sackey then led to a penalty against the Blues f and Walder's well-struck kick gave the home side the lead. Shaw was penalised for a high tackle just a minute later and received some harsh words from the referee before Blair missed the chance to level the scores.

The Wasps defence continued to frustrate the Blues but they were eventually rewarded for the attacking endeavour with the opening try of the game from Halfpenny. As he did for most of the game, Rush led the charge before the ball was worked wide to the Halfpenny courtesy of some slick handling and the Welsh international powered through the tackles of Van Gisbergen and prop Tim Payne before touching down for the score. But Blair's kicking woes continued with the conversion missing its target.

The Wasps pack led the hosts' riposte with a big hit at the next scrum and they earned a penalty that Walder slotted superbly to make it a one-point game. Poite's arm was soon out again with the Wasps pack inflicting more psychological damage at scrum time and Walder gave his side the lead with his third penalty. Blair finally found his range a minute before the break to bring his side to within a point as the sides headed to the tunnel.

The Wasps pack continued to get the better of the Blues at scrum time after the break and Walder wasted no time in extending his side's lead with another clean strike just a minute into the second half. But back came the Blues only to be thwarted again by the Wasps defence with skipper Tom Rees leading by example.

The Blues' frustration threatened to get the better of them before a classic counter punch from Blair brought his side back to within a point. And the task facing the visitors was made a little easier moments later when the referee ran out of patience with Shaw and showed the second row the yellow card for repeated infringements at the breakdown. Halfpenny's attempt at the long range penalty was wide of the mark but the momentum was now with the Welsh side who raised their efforts in a bid to take control of the game. And they did just that with Jenkins burrowing over from close range for his side's second try that was converted by Blair. But the Blues' discipline let them down just two minutes later allowing Walder to close the gap with his fifth penalty.

Shaw returned without any further damage to the scoreboard and it was soon the Blues who were down to 14-men with replacement Scott Andrews penalised as the Wasps pack looked to turn the screw at scrum time. Andrews exit coincided with the introduction of Cipriani who entered the fray as a replacement for Van Gisbergen.

With clock ticking down the Blues' John Yapp was caught offside at the breakdown and Walder stepped up to try and level the scores and at least force extra time but his first bad connection of the night meant his effort fell wide of the posts. Wasps looked to build again with time running out but a huge tackle from fly-half Ceri Sweeney forced a priceless turnover and the Blues calmly ran the clock down to clinch the win and a final date with Toulon.

Cardiff Blues boss Dai Young admitted the influential Rush will be almost impossible to replace after he delivered another match-winning display for the region. "Xavier was outstanding," said Young. "He got us on the front foot, which was always going to be the most important thing on a day like this. Whichever team got going forward would control the game and Xavier did that for us today. He will be very difficult to replace.

"Obviously we would have preferred a dry track because we have got the players to move the ball - but to win any comp you have to have a B-game as well as your A-game. The players deserve all the credit they get. It was never going to be pretty in these conditions but we showed great maturity. It could have gone either way at the end but I think we played most of the rugby."

Wasps boss Tony Hanks was left to rue Shaw's costly sin-binning. "We are not going to enjoy watching the final. The yellow card hurt us," said Hanks. "Simon has been important to us in defending the driving lineouts and you don't just fill the void of Simon Shaw for 10 minutes. They took their opportunities and we did not make enough of ours."

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**dudeabides** · 05-21-2010, 02:35 PM

Preview of the Amlin final:

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Toulon and Cardiff Blues will go head-to-head at in Marseille on Sunday in the final of this season's European Challenge Cup.

Big spending Toulon enter the clash as favourites thanks largely to the kind scheduling that has handed them a virtual home draw. The 60,000 capacity Stade Velodrome is just 30 miles from Toulon and has already played host to Le Toulonnais on more than one occasion this season and most notably was the setting for their Top 14 victory over Heineken Cup finalists Toulouse.

That familiarity with the venue and the guaranteed fervent support is sure to weigh heavily in Toulon's favour as they seek their first piece of silverware since powering to the ProD2 title in 2007-08 to reclaim their place in French rugby's top flight. The Blues, looking to become the first Welsh side to lift a European trophy, have also tasted success in recent years with their rout of Gloucester in the 2008-09 Anglo-Welsh Cup Final still fresh in the memory but it is no stretch to suggest that this game represents a major opportunity for two sides desperate to establish themselves amongst Europe's heavyweights.

Inspired by another raft of big-name signings, including England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson, Toulon have caught the eye throughout this season both on the domestic stage and in Europe. But they saw their hopes of Top 14 glory ended by Clermont Auvergne last weekend leaving Sunday's final their only chance to secure owner Mourad Boudjellal a tangible return for his significant investment in the club.

Toulon delivered a statement of intent in the pool stages to end the euro hopes of in-form Saracens who have since booked a place in this season's Guinness Premiership Final. Wilkinson then kicked the Scarlets out of the competition with a clinical display at the Stade Felix Mayol in their quarter-final clash. Philippe Saint-Andre's side then showed they had plenty of backbone by going to the Sportsground in Galway and beating a determined Connacht side in the final four.

The Blues entered the Challenge Cup fray as part of a re-vamp of this season's European competitions that saw the Heineken Cup provide three quarter-finalists for the second tier tournament. The Blues were the only one of those sides to capitalise on this opportunity - with Gloucester and Scarlets succumbing at the first hurdle - and they did so in emphatic fashion by sweeping Newcastle aside before notching a more impressive victory against Wasps in their semi-final meeting at Adams Park. As a result they became the first Welsh side to progress to a European final since the dawn of the regional set-up in 2003.

Beaten semi-finalists in last season's Heineken Cup, the Blues were struggling to live up to those standards - except for a pool stage victory over eventual finalists Toulouse - but they breathed life into their campaign in the new year with 12 wins in 14 games in all competitions. Knocked out in the semi-finals of the Anglo-Welsh Cup they also came up short in the Magners League leaving Sunday's game as their last shot at redemption. But unbeaten on the road since the beginning of January, Dai Young's side have reason to feel confident ahead of what they have billed as "the biggest game since the region was born."

"We have shown we have the mettle and determination to go to tough places and get a result, and it won't get much more difficult than this weekend," Young said this week. "We won't have to worry too much about the 50,000 in the stand but the 15 on the pitch will be tough enough. Toulon are one of France's top teams who have very few weaknesses and few unrecognisable players. But we do think there are one or two areas we can expose and we're looking forward to the game."

No.8 Xavier Rush is set to marshall the Blues' challenge in what will be his last appearance for the region ahead of a move to Ulster next season. The former All Blacks star was in imperious form during the victory over Wasps and will be pivotal to the Blues' hopes of upsetting the odds. Young has also been boosted by the return of Richie Rees with the scrum-half having shaken off an ankle injury and Tonga prop Taufa'au Filise is also back in the mix after recovering from a groin injury. The Blues also not short of big game players with the likes of prop Gethin Jenkins, centre Jamie Roberts and veteran flanker Martyn Williams but fellow Wales international Andy Powell is set to miss out due to a torn calf muscle, while Tom James, Gareth Cooper, Robin Sowden-Taylor, Gary Powell and Tom Shanklin are also all injured.

As he has done for most of the season, Wilkinson will spearhead the Toulon attack as he bids to end his first season on the continent on a high note. The former Newcastle No.10 is determined to see his side bounce back from their Top 14 disappointment but is taking nothing for granted. "It is an exciting prospect. Cardiff are a fabulous team. We have had a tough journey. So have they. Now it is a one off-game, all the work comes down to one game and the bounce of a ball or two. We have to take forward the passion and motivation of coming so close [in the Top 14] and let it drive the hunger for this weekend."

Saint-Andre's men suffered a blow on the eve of the game with fullback Luke Rooney ruled out of the game having suffered a fractured collarbone in last weekend's defeat to Clermont. Winger Olivier Missoup is also out after suffering an ankle injury in the same game but No.8 Juan-Martin Fernandez Lobbe, flanker Joe van Niekerk, winger Gabiriele Lovobalavu and veteran Tana Umaga are all set to provide a steadying hand. Kiwi Sonny Bill Williams is also in line for a start having impressed off the bench last time out.

The odds appear stacked significantly in Toulon's favour although the prospect of a punishing 80 minutes, or more, under the Mediterranean sun just a week after their epic Top 14 exit may hand the Blues' some breathing room. The visitors also have battling qualities in abundance and know how to win big games on the road while Rush's showdown with Fernandez-Lobbe is surely worth the ticket price alone. Much will depend on the Blues' ability to limit Wilkinson's influence with boot and ball and they will be under pressure to silence the 'home' crowd from the opening whistle but if they can a famous triumph could be theirs for the taking.

There will be two other sides keeping a close eye on proceedings in Marseille hoping to benefit in the form of a place in next season's Heineken Cup. Should the Blues win then Wales will gain a fourth place in Europe's premier event next season which would see the Scarlets qualify through the back door after a disappointing Magners League season. But if Toulon take the title, then English side Gloucester will get the nod due to the France's maximum entry and their own euro ranking.

Toulon: C Marienval; G Lovobalavu, T May, S Williams, J Sinzelle; J Wilkinson, M Henjak [capt]; S Taumoepeau, P Fitzgerald, D Kubriashvili, E Lozada, R Skeate, J van Niekerk, J Fernandez Lobbe, F Auelua

Replacements: S Bruno, L Emmanuelli, T Ryan, J Suta, O Sourice, M Kefu, P Mignoni, T Umaga

Cardiff Blues: B Blair; L Halfpenny, C Laulala, J Roberts, C Czekaj; C Sweeney, R Rees; G Jenkins [capt], T Thomas, F Filise, B Davies, D Jones, M Molitika, M Williams, X Rush

Replacements: G Williams, J Yapp, S Andrews, P Tito, S Warburton, D Allinson, D Flanagan, D Hewitt

Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)

Assistant referees: Alan Lewis, George Clancy (Ireland)
TMO: Tony Redmond (Scotland)
Citing Commissioner: Peter Larter (England)
TV: FR4 / Sky Sports / S4C* / FR3* ,br>* Highlights

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**dudeabides** · 05-23-2010, 03:17 PM

Cardiff Blues v Toulon:

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Cardiff Blues defied the odds to secure their maiden European title by defeating Toulon 28-21 in the European Challenge Cup Final at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille on Sunday.

The Blues became the first Welsh side to lift a European trophy but were forced to produce a towering second-half performance against a star-studded Toulon side roared on by a partisan crowd of almost 49,000. The result also secures the Scarlets' place in next season's Heineken Cup, ensuring that all four Welsh regions will sit at the top table.

Jamie Roberts, Leigh Halfpenny and Bradley Davies scored second half tries for the Blues in response to a first half effort from Toulon's superb centre Sonny Bill Williams, whose score was supplemented by eight points from Jonny Wilkinson. An injury to the England fly-half early in the second period proved to be the game's pivotal moment, with the Blues taking control in his absence.

Several of Toulon's leading lights, including the rash Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, lost their way after Wilkinson's departure and some poor decision making allied to profligacy in attack proved to be their undoing. Replacement Thomas Sourice scored a late try to set heart-rates soaring on the Cardiff bench, but the Blues were able to cling on.

Toulon were inches away from scoring the first try of the game from kick-off, with Cardiff failing to collect the bouncing ball and only being spared by a knock-on from Williams in sight of the line. The Blues showed better defence at an ensuing maul, fighting fire with fire inside their own 22 and eventually clearing their lines.

Halfpenny opened the scoring for the Blues with a massive penalty from just inside the Toulon half, rewarding several minutes of rebuilding work after their early scare. Toulon relied heavily on the boot in the opening stages but aimless efforts from their fly-half and centre Tom May stunted their progress before Wilkinson was able to land a long-range penalty.

The home side deviated from their kicking strategy to good effect soon after, Wilkinson firing a 30 yard pass across field to Lobbe, whose straightening line created havoc in the Cardiff defence only for Joe van Niekerk to knock on.

The next score went to Blair and the Blues after May had failed to roll away but the visitors were again put under pressure by the Toulon backline, scrabbling in defence to cover the wide channels as Lobbe and van Niekerk got involved in midfield. Another handling error spared the Blues and frustrated the fans but with Rhys Thomas struggling at the lineout the ball was immediately back in the hands of Toulon.

Wilkinson mixed up his arsenal of kicks with a deft knock in behind and Williams gathered acrobatically to set up another spell of pressure. Cardiff defended resolutely, with a thumping tackle from Gethin Jenkins forcing the home side back before one flick too many from Williams and Van Niekerk almost ended in disaster as Roberts intercepted.

The Toulon cover worked hard to get back and secure the ball, with Wilkinson levelling the scores soon after when a hospital pass from Casey Laulala landed Halfpenny in a world of trouble on his wing. The crowd were on their feet to celebrate the first try before the break and it was Williams who finally found reward for his endeavour.

After Van Niekerk and fullback Christian Marienval had broken from deep, denied only by a last-ditch tackle from Halfpenny, Toulon had too many numbers for a Blues defence that was stretched to breaking point. Williams collected the ball in acres of space and fixed tight-head Tau Filise to score under the posts. Wilkinson added the conversion for a 13-6 lead, which stood at the break after Halfpenny missed a long-range penalty.

The Blues suffered a blow with Jenkins failing to reappear for the second half and their fortunes got worse as another terrible lineout throw from Thomas conceded a promising attacking position following an excellent kick from Ceri Sweeney. Lobbe and Van Niekerk continued to pop up across the field while Cardiff had no answer for the pace and power of Williams. Wilkinson lined up a penalty after a try had seemed inevitable, collapsing with an injury as the ball slid wide of the posts. The England pivot was helped from the field by medics with an apparent back injury.

The midfield reshuffle saw May switch to No.10 and the former Falcon immediately made a mistake to gift Cardiff a try. A juggle under his posts while trying to clear gave the Blues a scrum five metres out and after referee Alain Rolland had awarded a free-kick, Roberts burst onto a short ball to score under the posts. Blair converted to level the scores.

May and Blair traded penalties to leave the scores level at 16-16 as the hour mark approached but the Blues snatched the impetus through Halfpenny. Patient work on the Toulon 22 sucked in defenders and Roberts and Laulala carried hard at the heart of the defence. Quick ball to Richie Rees put Xavier Rush into space and the No.8 popped a well judged pass into the arms of Halfpenny who made no mistake out wide.

Relentless pressure from the Blues forced Toulon into another mistake deep in their 22 as Sebastien Bruno knocked on, with Rush powering forward from a free kick. Laulala again proved to be a nuisance in midfield, stepping inside two tackles before Davies finished off the move with a powerful surge close to the line.

Toulon showed wonderful heart to fight back and were roared on by their colourful support. The Blues forced back wave after wave of red attackers until Gabiriele Lovobalavu found space out wide to release Sourice to the line. May's conversion slid wide and the Blues put their bodies on the line for one last time from the kick-off, winning the vital turnover in the Toulon 22 to secure a famous victory.

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