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Mathieu Bastareaud of RC Toulon is tackled by Aurelien Rougerie of ASM Clermont Auvergne during the Heineken Cup Final between ASM Clermont Auvergne and RC Toulon at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin. Photo: Rob Munro Bastareaud revels in the sweet afterglow of Toulon’s achievement

Man-of-the-match display a huge factor in Heineken Cup triumph

Rory Best will captain Ireland on the tour. Photograph: Inpho Best to captain squad in North America as Les Kiss will remain on board with Ireland

Interim manager agrees three-year contract to work with Joe Schmidt while squad includes seven uncapped players

Versatile Ian Madigan ready to embrace additional responsibilities

Cementing his place in Leinster’s first XV the first objective

Queensland Reds outhalf Quade Cooper has been omitted from the Australia squad. Photograph: Getty Images Cooper left out of Wallabies squad

Robbie Deans says there are still six places up for grabs before final squad revealed for Lions tour

Ulster’s Stuart Olding is one of six uncapped players in the Ireland squad to tour the US nad Canada. Photograph: Morgan Treacy/Inpho Six uncapped in Ireland squad to tour US and Canada

Acting coach Les Kiss confirmed as member of Joe Schmidt’s coaching ticket for next three years

Toulon’s Delon Armitage dives in for the decisive try after outrunning Brock James of Clermont Auvergne in the Heineken Cup final at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photograph: Stu Forster/Getty Images Toulon fightback denies Clermont in Heineken Cup final

Delon Armitage try and Jonny Wilkinson conversion snatch an unlikely victory against hitherto unbeaten rivals

Ronan O’Gara (right) and Jonny Sexton (left), former provincial rivals grappling for the international number 10 jersey, will join up as coach and player at Racing Metro 92. Photograph: Inpho O’Gara’s Racing Metro move a surprise to Sexton
  • Rugby
  • May 18, 2013, 16:01

Ireland and Munster outhalf (36) confirms he will coach former rival at the Parisian club from July

Former All Black outhalf Andrew Mehrtens, right, with Ireland and Leinster out-half during the Irupa Rugby Player Awards 2013. Photograph: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile ‘I think so much talent is wasted in France’ – Mehrtens

After more than five years playing and coaching in the country, the former All Black outhalf feels French sides play more as individuals

Ronan O’Gara and Jonathan Sexton: set to meet up again at Racing Metro. O’Gara signs a two-year deal with Racing Metro as kicking coach

Former Ireland and Munster outhalf to be reunited with old rival Jonathan Sexton

Rob Kearney leaps in to score the third of Leinster four tries against Stade Francais. Photograph: Inpho Clinical Leinster show smothers Stade’s Amlin challenge

Schmidt’s men outscore visitors four tries to one as Sexton kicks perfectly to help secure silverware

Leinster’s Ian Madigan celebrates his try with outgoing outhalf Jonny Sexton. Photograph: Dan Sheridan/Inpho Strong signs of life before Leinster legends leave

Departing Sexton and Nacewa lift trophy as signs of new generation coming through

Noel Reid: The centre scored the winning penalty in the last minute of extra time. Photograph: Inpho Leinster A take British and Irish Cup in dramatic fashion
  • Rugby
  • May 17, 2013, 22:56

Noel Reid’s penalty in last minute of extra-time gives side famous win over Newcastle Falcons

Jonny Wilkinson: will be a pivotal figure for Toulon. Clermont to keep their 100 per cent record in Heineken Cup

Nothing between the two French sides in today’s Aviva Stadium final

Matt Giteau: One of Toulon’s standout signings made by owner Mourad Boudjellal. Photograph:James Crombie/Inpho Clermont and Toulon – a clash of styles
  • Rugby
  • Ian Borthwick
  • May 18, 2013, 03:00

From the austere centre of Auvergne to the brash Mediterranean coast, Clermont and Toulon are the polar opposites of French rugby

Ronan O’Gara (left) and Jonny Sexton (right) are reported to be linking up together at Racing Metro 92 next season. Photograph: Lorraine O’Sullivan/Inpho O’Gara linked with Racing Metro coaching position
  • Rugby
  • May 17, 2013, 16:47

Munster outhalf reported to have agreed two-year deal to work alongside Jonny Sexton

Clermont captain Aurelien Rougerie returns in midfield against Toulon in Saturday’s Heineken Cup Final. Photograph: Stu Forster/Getty Images Rougerie returns to captain Clermont for European decider
  • Rugby
  • May 17, 2013, 13:03

French star returns in midfield against unchanged Toulon side

The two captains, Leinster’s Jamie Heaslip and Stade Francais’ Sergio Parisse, pose before the decider. Leinster can take another French scalp but Stade Francais will be no pushovers

O’Driscoll’s back injury rules him out of Amlin final as he decides to play another year

Ronan O’Gara: still considering a one-year extension to his Munster contract. Munster will give Ronan O’Gara time to consider contract extension
  • Rugby
  • May 17, 2013, 02:00

Rob Penney pays tribute to captain Doug Howlett as he steps down

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Rabo Pro 12

Team P W D L F A BP Pts
Ulster 22 17 1 4 577 348 11 81
Leinster 22 17 0 5 585 386 10 78
Glasgow 22 16 0 6 541 324 12 76
Scarlets 22 15 0 7 436 406 6 66
Ospreys 22 14 1 7 471 342 4 62
Munster 22 11 1 10 442 384 8 54
Treviso 22 10 2 10 414 450 6 51
Connacht 22 8 1 13 358 422 4 38
Cardiff 21 8 0 13 335 450 6 38
Edinburgh 22 7 0 15 499 504 8 36
Dragons 22 6 0 16 358 589 4 28
Zebre 22 0 0 22 288 573 10 10

 

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