https://www.scmp.com/rss/311277/feed Established in 1995 and formerly known as the Heineken Cup, this prestigious club competition involves 20 leading teams from countries whose national sides contest the Six Nations Championship. Teams who do not qualify for the Champions Cup enter the second-tier European Rugby Challenge Cup. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Former Wales rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit is set to join back-to-back NFL Super Bowl champs the Kansas City Chiefs. Of course the Chiefs are also known for their star player Travis Kelce, who is currently dating pop star Taylor Swift. According to the outlet, the 23-year-old was also courted by the New York Jets, Cleveland Browns and Denver Broncos before choosing to sign with the Chiefs. The Chiefs confirmed the news on their ­website, saying: “The Kansas City Chiefs made an international... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/entertainment/article/3257653/who-louis-rees-zammit-ex-rugby-player-joining-nfls-kansas-city-chiefs-welsh-rees-lightning-just?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/entertainment/article/3257653/who-louis-rees-zammit-ex-rugby-player-joining-nfls-kansas-city-chiefs-welsh-rees-lightning-just?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 05 Apr 2024 06:00:21 +0000 New Ospreys director James Davies-Yandle thinks that rugby has the potential for growth by innovating its products for fans and aligning the global calendar. Davies-Yandle said rugby is behind other professional sports in appreciating how fans consume sport but that gap in knowledge creates commercial opportunities for expansion. “The reason you get involved in any sport organisation is the same – you believe you can grow the business, and that the business from a commercial standpoint is... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/3085465/ospreys-new-asia-based-owner-james-davies-yandle-y11-sports?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/3085465/ospreys-new-asia-based-owner-james-davies-yandle-y11-sports?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 22 May 2020 02:00:17 +0000 English champions Saracens have been given a 35-point deduction and fined £5.36 million (US$6.92 million) after they were found guilty of breaching salary cap regulations, Premiership Rugby (PRL) said on Tuesday. British media reported the breaches related to England internationals such as Owen Farrell, Maro Itoje, Mako and Billy Vunipola entering into business partnerships with club chairman Nigel Wray. “Saracens Rugby Club failed to disclose payments to players in each of the seasons 2016-17,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/3036447/saracens-docked-35-points-and-fined-breaching-salary-cap-rules?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/3036447/saracens-docked-35-points-and-fined-breaching-salary-cap-rules?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 05 Nov 2019 12:37:19 +0000 Outspoken Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal will face a European rugby disciplinary hearing after blasting authorities over their “morality” in the wake of Mathieu Bastareaud’s citing for using a homophobic slur. The European club rugby governing body banned Frenchman Bastareaud for three weeks after he was heard insulting Treviso’s Sebastian Negri while playing for Toulon in the European Champions Cup last month. “Following an investigation, European Professional Club Rugby [EPCR] has decided... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/2133939/they-sell-morality-dont-possess-any-mourad-boudjellal-face?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/2133939/they-sell-morality-dont-possess-any-mourad-boudjellal-face?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 20 Feb 2018 05:40:55 +0000 Eddie Jones found himself facing major criticism for the first time as England coach after a controversial training session saw Wasps flanker Sam Jones break his leg and Bath wing Anthony Watson fracture his jaw. Both players are now set to miss all of England’s end of year internationals against South Africa, Fiji, Argentina and Australia at Twickenham beginning in November, with the injuries sparking the kind of "club v country" row that plagued English rugby union during the early years of... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2026119/england-coach-eddie-jones-slammed-training-injury-madness-will-see-sam?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2026119/england-coach-eddie-jones-slammed-training-injury-madness-will-see-sam?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 07 Oct 2016 12:30:30 +0000 Beaten finalists Racing 92 have “no regrets” over the selection of Dan Carter for the European Rugby Champions Cup final despite the former All Blacks legend nursing an injury, forwards coach Laurent Travers said this week. Carter lasted only 43 minutes of the French club’s 21-9 defeat by Saracens from England before limping off with a calf injury he had initially sustained in the semi-final round. The 34-year-old admitted after the game that he was left to make the call on his own fitness... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1948689/no-regrets-racing-92-defend-selection-injured-dan-carter-after-euro-loss?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1948689/no-regrets-racing-92-defend-selection-injured-dan-carter-after-euro-loss?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 20 May 2016 10:58:45 +0000 Wallabies openside flanker Liam Gill is heading overseas to play in France at the end of the Super Rugby season in a blow for the ailing Queensland Reds and Australian rugby. The highly rated 23-year-old has been linked with a move to Top 14 side Toulon, having been shut out of Australia’s back row for the last two years by David Pocock, Michael Hooper and latterly Sean McMahon. He has international aspirations but plays in a position in which Australia have significant depth and he felt he... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1911858/wallabies-flanker-liam-gill-set-join-exodus-toulon?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1911858/wallabies-flanker-liam-gill-set-join-exodus-toulon?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 10 Feb 2016 16:00:00 +0000 Dan Carter’s Racing 92 won a battle of the hemispheres when they edged Super Rugby champions the Highlanders 45-38 in a try-fest to lift the Natixis Cup in Hong Kong on Saturday. Former All Blacks great Carter, the world player of the year, kicked a conversion before withdrawing at half-time in what became an end-to-end contest with the two teams sharing 13 tries. Chris Masoe got the winning try for the French side after a driving maul in the dying minutes to seal the exhibition game in front of... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1910052/dan-carters-racing-edge-super-rugby-champions-highlanders-natixis-cup?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1910052/dan-carters-racing-edge-super-rugby-champions-highlanders-natixis-cup?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 06 Feb 2016 12:45:45 +0000 The reigning Super Rugby champion Highlanders aim to kick-start the defence of their title with a hard-and-fast running game when they meet in-form French club Racing 92 at Siu Sai Wan Sports Ground in Hong Kong on Saturday. On the back of a high-intensity training session on Thursday, the Highlanders named a strong side featuring a few All Blacks and several players from last season's winning Super rugby teams, and will be hoping to use their speed and fresh legs to their advantage in what is... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1909361/highlanders-planning-high-tempo-test-racing-92-natixis-cup-clash-hong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1909361/highlanders-planning-high-tempo-test-racing-92-natixis-cup-clash-hong?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 04 Feb 2016 12:00:45 +0000 All Blacks World Cup star Dan Carter is preparing to play a big role for Racing 92 against reigning Super Rugby champions the Highlanders in the Natixis Cup at Siu Sai Wan stadium on Saturday. Happy to be back in Hong Kong, Carter is itching to take on some of his old teammates and rivals. Just when I thought I’d finished playing against the New Zealand franchises, this game came about Dan Carter “I’m keen to play,” Carter said. “Just when I thought I’d finished playing against the New Zealand... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1909182/friends-and-foes-racing-92s-dan-carter-encounters-familiar-faces-hong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1909182/friends-and-foes-racing-92s-dan-carter-encounters-familiar-faces-hong?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 03 Feb 2016 10:45:00 +0000 French side Clermont Auvergne spurned a late penalty which would have sent them through to the quarter-finals as Exeter Chiefs and Stade Français progressed in a dramatic finale to the European Rugby Champions Cup group stage on Sunday. Last season’s runners-up Clermont trailed Bordeaux-Bègles 37-28 when Morgan Parra turned down an 80th-minute penalty in front of the posts in favour of going for a try and squandered the chance of a losing bonus point to top the group. The kick would have taken... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1904869/clermont-big-losers-dramatic-final-weekend-champions-cup-group-games?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1904869/clermont-big-losers-dramatic-final-weekend-champions-cup-group-games?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 25 Jan 2016 06:00:45 +0000 Defending European champions Toulon may be looking at quitting France for the English Premiership but their most pressing concern is avoiding an exit from Europe this weekend. The mega-rich French giants, whose controversial owner Mourad Boudjellal said he wants his team to play in the English top flight, travel to Bath on Saturday in their final European Rugby Champions Cup pool game on top of the table with a one-point lead over Wasps. But they are living on their nerves in a tournament they... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1903783/european-champions-toulon-battle-early-exit-fears?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1903783/european-champions-toulon-battle-early-exit-fears?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 22 Jan 2016 03:15:45 +0000 Last year’s runners-up Clermont stayed on course for the European Rugby Champions Cup quarter-finals Friday after winning a bad-tempered all-French clash against Bordeaux-Bègles. The 28-10 victory put Clermont on top of Pool 2 in a game held over from November when it was called off in the aftermath of the Paris terror attacks. Bordeaux remain bottom of the group, behind Exeter and Ospreys, after a third defeat in four matches. They also saw replacement lock Julien Le Devedec red-carded for... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1899556/clermont-target-last-eight-after-bruising-champions-cup-win-over?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1899556/clermont-target-last-eight-after-bruising-champions-cup-win-over?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 09 Jan 2016 00:45:00 +0000 Dan Carter admitted having to shelve thoughts of a warm New Zealand beach as he battled driving rain and wind to lead Racing 92 to the top of the Top 14 table in a hard-fought 23-18 victory over Bordeaux-Bègles late Saturday. The former All Blacks fly-half, who will play in Hong Kong on February 6 when Racing 92 tackle reigning Super Rugby champions Highlanders in the Natixis Cup, was instrumental in the win in his first French league start at Stade Yves-du-Manoir in the Parisian surburb of... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1897840/lifes-no-beach-hong-kong-bound-dan-carter-despite-leading-racing-92-top?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1897840/lifes-no-beach-hong-kong-bound-dan-carter-despite-leading-racing-92-top?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 03 Jan 2016 16:30:00 +0000 Follow @KevinKungHK Former All Blacks superstar Dan Carter will play in Hong Kong on February 6 when his French club side Racing 92 tackle reigning Super Rugby champions Highlanders in the Natixis Cup. The 33-year-old three-time world player of the year who retired from internationals after New Zealand won this year’s Rugby World Cup made headlines last month when he joined the French Top 14 side. We are famous for the Sevens but we have tried for many years to put on a second great... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1888984/all-blacks-world-cup-hero-dan-carter-play-hong-kong-new-french-club?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1888984/all-blacks-world-cup-hero-dan-carter-play-hong-kong-new-french-club?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 09 Dec 2015 09:00:00 +0000 Saracens fought back from 9-0 down to defeat Ulster 27-9 at a rain-swept Belfast on Friday to make it two wins from two in their European Rugby Champions Cup campaign. Saracens beat four-time champions Toulouse 32-7 in their Pool 1 opener last week and were just as fluent in Northern Ireland in testing conditions. Paddy Jackson kicked three first-half penalties for Ulster whose scheduled opening game last week against French team Oyonnax was called off in the aftermath of the Paris terror... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1881683/saracens-mount-stunning-fightback-against-ulster-second-european-win?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1881683/saracens-mount-stunning-fightback-against-ulster-second-european-win?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 21 Nov 2015 18:15:00 +0000 The Super Rugby-winning Highlanders are set to take on European Rugby Champions Cup holders Toulon in Hong Kong early next year, the French Top 14 club announced on Wednesday. The match, which is an agreement in principle at this stage, would be played on February 6, shortly before the 2016 Super Rugby season begins. It would also coincide with the first weekend of the 2016 Six Nations Championship. The two clubs "have reached an agreement to organise" the game with organisers SL Events "in... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1849173/cream-super-rugby-and-european-rugby-clash-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1849173/cream-super-rugby-and-european-rugby-clash-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 13 Aug 2015 05:00:30 +0000 Toulon captain Carl Hayman reckons teams will have their work cut out trying to match his side’s unprecedented achievement of being crowned kings of Europe in three successive seasons. Hayman’s men defeated French rivals Clermont 24-18 in a thrilling European Rugby Champions Cup final at Twickenham on Saturday. Drew Mitchell’s breathtaking try 11 minutes from time, which saw the Wallabies wing go past six Clermont defenders, sealed the outcome of a see-saw contest in dramatic fashion. Former New... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1785489/skipper-carl-hayman-says-toulons-european-hat-trick-will-be-hard-beat?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1785489/skipper-carl-hayman-says-toulons-european-hat-trick-will-be-hard-beat?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 04 May 2015 02:17:29 +0000 Drew Mitchell’s brilliant late try ensured Toulon became the first club to win three consecutive European titles as they beat French rivals Clermont 24-18 in a thrilling final at Twickenham on Saturday. The Australian went past six defenders in a warning to England, who could be up against the flying wing in a World Cup pool match this year after Australia recently relaxed their rules on selecting overseas-based players for test duty. Toulon and New Zealand lock Ali Williams said afterwards that... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1785475/toulon-capture-historic-third-straight-euro-crown-thrilling-late-show?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1785475/toulon-capture-historic-third-straight-euro-crown-thrilling-late-show?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 04 May 2015 01:55:27 +0000 Toulon’s bid to be crowned kings of Europe for an unprecedented third successive season will see their star-studded side up against familiar foes when they take on French rivals Clermont in Saturday’s final at Twickenham. Toulon boast the talents of Australia’s Matt Giteau, South Africa’s Bakkies Botha and New Zealand’s Carl Heyman. But Clermont, looking to gain revenge for their 16-15 defeat by Toulon in the 2013 final, have plenty of international firepower including Australian playmaker Brock... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1784572/toulon-zero-third-straight-euro-crown-are-shunning-favourites-tag?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1784572/toulon-zero-third-straight-euro-crown-are-shunning-favourites-tag?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 02 May 2015 18:07:54 +0000 Top 14 leading duo Toulon and Clermont return to domestic duties on Saturday with one eye on their European Rugby Champions Cup final on May 2. Leaders Toulon and second-placed Clermont play La Rochelle and Castres respectively, but face the dilemma of choosing between much-needed points to secure a semi-final play-off spot and the desire to rest players ahead of the Twickenham final. "Obviously, we are thinking about next week," admitted Clermont lock Sebastien Vahaamahina, who is one of the 12... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1776081/rest-assured-clermont-toulon-eye-twickenham-final?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1776081/rest-assured-clermont-toulon-eye-twickenham-final?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 25 Apr 2015 04:15:15 +0000 Australia fly-half Quade Cooper has signed a two-year contract to play for French champions Toulon, the club announced on its website on Friday. Capped 52 times by the Wallabies, the 27-year-old Cooper will join his new team-mates during the summer to prepare for the 2015-16 season. In particular he will link up with former Australia playmaker Matt Giteau, who has been instrumental in guiding the French club to this season’s European Rugby Champions Cup final. He [Cooper] is coming to Toulon to... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1776057/wallaby-quade-cooper-signs-french-giants-toulon?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1776057/wallaby-quade-cooper-signs-french-giants-toulon?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 25 Apr 2015 02:45:30 +0000 Defending champions Toulon will put their crown on the line this weekend when they meet Irish contenders Leinster in the semi-finals of the European Rugby Champions Cup, while English champions Saracens will take on Clermont. The winners will meet in the final on May 2 at Twickenham. Toulon, who won their second straight championship last year when they beat Saracens 23-6 behind the boot of retired English legend Jonny Wilkinson, go into Sunday’s tie in Marseille as firm favourites. The team are... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1768818/france-battleground-champions-cup-semis?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1768818/france-battleground-champions-cup-semis?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Apr 2015 12:57:46 +0000 England fly-half Owen Farrell is set to be available for Saracens' European Rugby Champions Cup semi-final against French side Clermont next weekend, the London club said Saturday. Farrell has been out of action since suffering a knee injury during Saracens’ pool phase loss to Clermont nearly three months ago and, subsequently, the 23-year-old missed the entire Six Nations Championship. “Owen Farrell should be fine for next week,” said Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall, after his side... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1764650/saracens-expect-owen-farrell-back-euro-semis-clash-against-clermont?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1764650/saracens-expect-owen-farrell-back-euro-semis-clash-against-clermont?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Apr 2015 04:48:39 +0000 Northampton Saints became English rugby union champions for the first time in their history on Saturday after beating Saracens 24-20 with a last-minute try by Alex Waller in extra-time in the Premiership final at Twickenham. Northampton's victory came just over a week after they had beaten fellow English side Bath in the European Challenge Cup final and meant double heartbreak for 2011 English champions Saracens, who lost to French side Toulon in the European Cup final last Saturday. The game... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1523096/saints-end-english-title-jinx-dramatic-style?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1523096/saints-end-english-title-jinx-dramatic-style?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 01 Jun 2014 01:00:00 +0000 Steffon Armitage's ongoing England exile is set to continue for at least another season, but coach Stuart Lancaster said it was possible the newly crowned European player of the year could be recalled for the 2015 World Cup. The fact Armitage plays his club rugby in France currently rules him out of England contention, with Lancaster happy to uphold a Rugby Football Union regulation that players at overseas clubs will not be considered for test selection save in exceptional circumstances. The... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1520062/england-leave-door-ajar-toulon-star-steffon-armitage?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1520062/england-leave-door-ajar-toulon-star-steffon-armitage?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 30 May 2014 11:45:45 +0000 Jonny Wilkinson said playing alongside "inspirational" former Australia centre Matt Giteau had convinced him now was the right time to retire. Wilkinson and Giteau - "the ultimate professional" in the eyes of the England great - were both members of the star-studded Toulon side that retained the European Cup with a 23-6 win over Saracens in the final at Millennium Stadium on Saturday. The match was 2003 World Cup-winner Wilkinson's last on British soil, with the flyhalf retiring after Toulon's... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1519505/wilkinson-hails-giteau-and-says-time-right-bow-out?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1519505/wilkinson-hails-giteau-and-says-time-right-bow-out?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 25 May 2014 15:30:00 +0000 Saracens coach Mark McCall has told his side they must contain Australia's Matt Giteau if they are to beat Toulon in Saturday's European Cup final in Cardiff. The build-up to the match has been dominated by the imminent retirement of Toulon fly-half Jonny Wilkinson, with the England great - 35 on Sunday - set to bow out from all rugby following next weekend's French Top 14 final against Castres. Saracens, in their first European Cup final, also eye a double ahead of their English Premiership... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1518872/pinning-down-matt-giteau-pivotal-european-cup-glory-saracens-boss?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1518872/pinning-down-matt-giteau-pivotal-european-cup-glory-saracens-boss?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 23 May 2014 13:45:15 +0000 Neither man will countenance the idea, both being team men through and through, but happenstance dictates that Saturday’s European Cup final focus will be on opposing fly-halves Jonny Wilkinson of Toulon and Owen Farrell of Saracens. The match-up is a repeat of last year’s semi-final in which Toulon prevailed and went on to win the trophy for the first time. Wilkinson kicked all 24 of Toulon’s points in that Twickenham encounter, with Farrell landing four penalties in reply. The prone... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1518055/european-cup-delivers-round-two-master-versus-apprentice?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1518055/european-cup-delivers-round-two-master-versus-apprentice?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 22 May 2014 13:30:30 +0000 Jonny Wilkinson said a "loud and pretty true gut feeling" told him it was the right time to bring down the curtain on a brilliant career. For a player renowned for his methodical preparation and attention to detail, it seemed strange that an old-fashioned thing as "gut instinct" should be the spark for the England fly-half great's announcement. But the 2003 World Cup-winner, 35 this Sunday, said he had been thinking of retiring for some time. I have been thinking about it throughout the year,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1516381/gut-instinct-told-wilko-it-was-time-go?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1516381/gut-instinct-told-wilko-it-was-time-go?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 21 May 2014 13:32:28 +0000 England Rugby World Cup hero Jonny Wilkinson announced on Monday that he will retire at the end of the season after Toulon’s European Cup and French Top 14 finals. “I would like to take this opportunity to formally announce my retirement from playing rugby,” the 34-year-old said in a statement on his club’s website. “I have an enormous number of people to thank for their support from all around the world but especially here in France and in England,” Wilkinson said, He was as big as David... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1515896/england-hero-jonny-wilkinson-calls-time-career?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1515896/england-hero-jonny-wilkinson-calls-time-career?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 19 May 2014 15:15:15 +0000 Jonny Wilkinson kicked 21 points to lift Toulon to a 24-16 Heineken Cup semi-final win over Munster on Sunday, keeping alive their hopes of becoming the third side to successfully defend the title. The French giants, who won their maiden championship with victory over Clermont Auvergne last season, will meet Saracens in the final after the English side thrashed Clermont 46-6 on Saturday. England World-Cup winning fly-half Wilkinson, who was in doubt for the match with a hamstring injury, kicked... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1498951/jonny-wilkinson-boots-toulon-european-cup-final?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1498951/jonny-wilkinson-boots-toulon-european-cup-final?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 28 Apr 2014 02:28:26 +0000 Jonny Wilkinson said Wednesday his unofficial role as a ‘mentor’ to some of Toulon’s rising stars could help prolong his own playing career. The 34-year-old England great’s current contract with reigning European champions Toulon expires at the end of the season but he is expected to sign a new deal that will keep him with the French club. And England’s 2003 World Cup-winning fly-half said working with the likes of Toulon and France centre Mathieu Bastareaud was helping reinvigorate his already... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1426986/jonny-wilkinson-says-toulon-youngsters-can-inspire-him-keep-playing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1426986/jonny-wilkinson-says-toulon-youngsters-can-inspire-him-keep-playing?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 13 Feb 2014 02:54:28 +0000 Brian O’Driscoll produced a sublime all-round performance to guide three-time European champions Leinster to a superb 40-7 away victory over Northampton on Saturday. The 34-year-old Ireland centre was instrumental in a stunning win for the Irish province, for whom winger Luke Fitzgerald crossed for a hat-trick. “We’re very pleased, we set up a good foundation in a very good first half performance,” O’Driscoll told Sky Sports. “There were some big performances from the guys. The energy was... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1376033/sublime-odriscoll-leads-leinster-big-win?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1376033/sublime-odriscoll-leads-leinster-big-win?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 08 Dec 2013 04:15:00 +0000 Five European rugby federations have rounded against the English by insisting their clubs would take part in the current European Cup next season. In September, English and French clubs announced the establishment of the Rugby Champions Cup from next season, a rival to the current European Club Rugby-run competition. Welsh regions subsequently joined forces with their English and French counterparts, claiming they wished to be a part of the breakaway competition. But the federations of France,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1362658/european-federations-square-breakaway-english-clubs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1362658/european-federations-square-breakaway-english-clubs?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 22 Nov 2013 02:15:30 +0000 World rugby supremo Bernard Lapasset has warned English and French clubs wishing to form a breakaway European club competition that they do not have the right to impose their will on other leagues reluctant to join them. The 66-year-old Frenchman – president of the International Rugby Board since replacing Irishman Syd Millar in 2008 – has kept his own counsel while the English and French clubs have tried to persuade their counterparts in Wales, Ireland, Italy and Scotland to leave the European... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1344316/irb-chief-sounds-warning-english-and-french-clubs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1344316/irb-chief-sounds-warning-english-and-french-clubs?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 31 Oct 2013 03:05:36 +0000 Brett Gosper, the most powerful man in world rugby, entered the battle for the future of the European club game by saying that the International Rugby Board (IRB) did not want to see an Anglo-French breakaway from the Heineken Cup. English and French clubs said last week that they planned to set up their own two-tier competitions after running out of patience with stalled talks over the future of the Heineken Cup. Europe's two most powerful unions are frustrated by what they see as a qualifying... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1313184/anglo-french-breakaway-plan-rugby-heineken-cup-not-ideal-irb-chief-brett?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1313184/anglo-french-breakaway-plan-rugby-heineken-cup-not-ideal-irb-chief-brett?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 19 Sep 2013 16:00:00 +0000 The organisers of the European Cup promised talks on the future of the tournament following a board meeting in Dublin, saying contentious points would be "on the table". Tuesday saw England's Premiership clubs reveal plans for an Anglo-French breakaway competition when the agreement governing the running of both the European Cup and the second-tier European Challenge Cup expires at the end of the 2013-14 northern hemisphere season. Clubs from both the Premiership and France's Top 14 are unhappy... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1308827/anglo-gallic-rebels-plan-new-rugby-competition?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1308827/anglo-gallic-rebels-plan-new-rugby-competition?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Sep 2013 16:00:00 +0000 Toulon hero Jonny Wilkinson says winning the European Cup was an even greater feeling than lifting the Rugby World Cup. The 33-year-old flyhalf kicked four from four, including the clinching conversion, to help Toulon to a 16-15 victory over Clermont in Dublin's Lansdowne Road stadium. Then moments like this give you an opportunity to look at it in a different way Jonny Wilkinson It is 10 years since he fired England to World Cup glory with a last-ditch drop goal to beat hosts Australia, but... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1241376/european-triumph-better-rugby-world-cup-wilkinson-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1241376/european-triumph-better-rugby-world-cup-wilkinson-says?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 19 May 2013 16:00:00 +0000 Toulon were crowned champions of Europe for the first time on Saturday when, aided by the boot of Jonny Wilkinson, they came from behind to beat Clermont Auvergne 16-15 in an all-French Heineken Cup final. Outplayed for 60 minutes and seemingly out of the game after Clermont scored two tries in five blistering second-half minutes, big-spending Toulon stunned their rivals with a Delon Armitage try and a conversion by Wilkinson, playing in his first European final. Ten years after kicking England... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1241168/jonny-wilkinson-helps-toulon-win-european-cup?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1241168/jonny-wilkinson-helps-toulon-win-european-cup?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 19 May 2013 05:08:32 +0000 Former Australia captain Rocky Elsom has joined Toulon as a replacement for the injured Stephane Munoz, the French Top 14 leaders said on Saturday. Elsom, who has played 75 tests for the Wallabies, has been dogged by injuries during the last two years and will start training with his new club from Monday. “I am very happy to join Toulon ... it’s a big club with big ambitions,” the 30-year-old said in a statement on the club’s website (www.rctoulon.com). The blindside flanker was playing for... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1169561/former-wallaby-captain-elsom-signs-frances-toulon?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1169561/former-wallaby-captain-elsom-signs-frances-toulon?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 02 Mar 2013 06:12:54 +0000 Johnnie Beattie is looking forward to getting his Scotland career back on track following a pre-season move to France. The back-row forward, who won the last of his 16 caps in 2011, has been instrumental in Montpellier qualifying for the European Cup quarter-finals for the first time. It looked as if Beattie's time at international level had come to an end when he was left out of the World Cup squad and worse followed when he fell out of favour at Glasgow. But now he aims to regain his test... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1133840/french-rugby-move-pays-johnnie-beattie?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1133840/french-rugby-move-pays-johnnie-beattie?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 22 Jan 2013 16:00:00 +0000