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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 confirms retirement and move into coaching with Racing Metro
  • Rugby
  • May 18, 2013, 14:10

Ireland and Munster outhalf (36) to join Jonny Sexton at the Parisian club next season

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

Clermont captain Aurelien Rougerie is expected to be fit for the final. Huge invasion by Clermont’s Yellow Army expected for final

Leinster and Munster fans likely to row in behind them as well

Christophe Laussucq: Stade Francais coach is not underestimating Leinster. Laussucq happy Brian O’Driscoll is not on Leinster teamsheet

Sergio Parisse has respect for opponents but feels Stade Francais can beat them

Brian O’Driscoll during the Leinster captain’s run at the RDS yesterday. Photograph: Lorraine O’Sullivan/Inpho Brian O’Driscoll to miss Amlin Challenge Cup final but signs on for another year

Coach Joe Schmidt confident 34-year-old’s injury will improve before Ulster’s visit next week

Fergus McFadden has moved to outside centre to replace Brian O’Driscoll in the Leinster team to face Stade Francais. Photograph: Morgan Treacy/Inpho O’Driscoll to miss Amlin decider with back injury
  • Rugby
  • May 16, 2013, 12:31

Healy, Strauss and Cullen all named on the bench for RDS clash

Brian O’Driscoll has signed a contract extension that will see him play for one more season with Leinster and Ireland. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire One more year for O’Driscoll

Leinster, Ireland and Lions centre has agreed a contract extension until June 2014

Jerome Porical in action during the semi-final win over Perpignan. Photograph: Inpho Stade Francais, given the right mood, have a sting in their tail

Hopefully, they won’t pick Leinster game to deliver a big performance on the road

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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

 

Our Writers

Keith Duggan Keith Duggan - Chief Sports Writer

Becks takes a hint and follows Mugsy and O’Hara off centre stage

Liam Toland Liam Toland - Rugby Analyst

A quality passing team like Leinster can score tries against Stade Francais

Emmet Riordan Emmet Riordan - Cricket Correspondent

Ireland must repay Pakistan when the time is right

Alan Quinlan Alan Quinlan -

Money talks in the big-budget Heineken Cup final between Clermont and Toulon

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