South African sides make new dawn one of promise for United Rugby Championship
Leinster and Munster both open with games against the newcomers this weekend
Lions have learned the hard way that defence is a matter of pride for Springboks
Damien de Allende, Jean de Villiers and Brian O’Driscoll on the green wall that awaits
Irish ready to give nouveau riche French a run for their money
Provinces will have to punch above weight when they face financial behemoths of Top14
Saracens know time has come to show what they can do
Maro Itoje’s performance in defeat of Wasps epitomises new confidence in team
Leinster v Toulon: Mike McCarthy to join 300 club
Leinster secondrow will make milestone appearance when Toulon visit the Aviva
Gordon D’Arcy: Leinster must force Toulon to play the blame game
This weekend it all comes back to the mental strength of the collective
RWC #39: England stuffed by South Africa in 2007
Reigning World Champions are humbled by the Springboks in Parisian Pool A encounter
Toulon may be hard to like but there’s no questioning their dominance
Money talks and Mourad Boudjellal ’s millions are shouting loud for the European champions
Paul O’Connell rumours stoked by Toulon president Boudjellal
Despite remarks, Munster star most to likely see out his career in Ireland
Anthony Foley plays down talk of Paul O’Connell move to Toulon
Munster coach says he has heard nothing of move which is denied by mega-rich French club
Matt Giteau warns that Toulon must up their game for Clermont decider
Australian back admits side were far from their best in semi-final win over Leinster
Toulon 25 Leinster 20: How the players rated
Gavin Cummiskey assesses the performances of both sets of players as Toulon reach yet another final
Toulon see off Leinster challenge to set up all-French final
Intercept try from Bryan Habana in extra time gives Toulon daylight in Marseille
Frédéric Michalak embracing chance to build lasting legacy
Toulon outhalf has resurrected a career that has long mixed the flaky with flawless
Leinster player-by-player statistics for European Champions Cup semi-final
Leinster team to face Toulon at Stade Velodrome
Toulon player-by-player statistics for European Champions Cup semi-final
Toulon team to face Leinster at Stade Velodrome
How Leinster can beat Toulon - from those that have found a way
Be aggressive . . . don’t let them run at you . . . go helter-skelter at them . . . frontrow key . . . and clearouts . . . Johnny’s gone
Ali Williams puts Toulon success down to winning mentality
Lock says financial divide needs to be solved to avoid ruining international game
Michalak’s boot does the job as error-strewn Toulon set up semi-final with Leinster
French side far from their best as they see off Wasps
Toulon to progress against Wasps and continue dual title defence
Champions should secure eighth successive knock-out win in the European Cup
Andy McGeady: Why is a clearout treated differently to a tackle?
No-arm charges at rucks are just as dangerous as the highlighted tackles
Six Nations 2015: Survival of the fittest
Size is the bottom line in rugby and the key to optimising physical power is getting access to players when they are young, writes Gavin Cummiskey
Bakkies Botha retires after Boks win over Italy
Late Bryan Habana try adds gloss to unconvincing win for South Africa in Padova
Much more to the Springboks than ‘heads down, bums up, straight ahead’
Matt Williams believes Heyneke Meyer has added flair to physicality and it is a masterstroke
Springbok midfield’s ability must be tested well behind their gain line
Joe Schmidt’s men braced for the inevitable massive physical challenge the Boks represent
Schalk Burger always making an impact
South African flanker has come back from illness and injury to regain a place
Springbok bully boys likely to have too much up front for ‘nice’ Ireland
A year on and New Zealand heartbreak lingers. Distraction is the way to avoid a repeat against South Africa.
Ruan Pienaar must prove his fitness for Springboks
Heyneke Meyer hoping Ulster’s talismanic scrumhalf can overcome knee injury
Ulster must take the fight to Toulon
European champions bring their multi-talented squad to Belfast for the first time
Stopping Matt Giteau and Toulon a formidable task for Ulster
The best outhalf in world rugby graces Irish soil this weekend as European champions arrive in Belfast
Durable Devin Toner taking his game to new heights
Leinster lock’s offloading game, as well as his tackling, has consistently improved
Toulon win battle of bullies against Saracens in Cardiff
Matt Giteau’s moment of magic lights up flat Heineken Cup finale
Mark McCall sees Wilkinson as the danger
The Ulster-born coach eyes up a first European Cup and domestic double for Saracens
Hanrahan fit enough to make Munster bench
Bryan Habana to start for Toulon in the Heineken Cup semi-final in Marseilles on Sunday
Bernard Laporte takes aim at Munster and Wayne Barnes
Toulon coach and owner Mourad Boudjellal have previous form for abusing referees
Leinster in rude health for trip to Toulon
Matt O’Connor vows his side are ready for the battle against defending champions
Toulon locks ruled out of Leinster game
Bakkies Botha and Ali Williams both injured as defending champions prepare to host province
Peter O’Mahony emerges as big injury concern for Munster
Leinster optimistic Cian Healy and Dave Kearney will be able to face Toulon on Sunday
Influx of high-profile imports into French game questioned
France’s national team have entered a trough since their grand slam in 2010
France is no longer a mystery to Munster
In the early days a Heineken Cup match in France was a step into the unknown
Heineken Cup round-up: Toulon get over the line in Exeter
Clermont and Saracens also record wins in early European kick-offs
South Africa’s broader game plan can pay dividends against Scotland
‘When I look at Scotland, their biggest weapon is that they play with a lot of heart, are a very proud team and they never go away, but I think their biggest strength is the breakdown’
Heyneke Meyer looks to sharpen attack as Springboks target victory over Wales
South Africa’s Jaque Fourie will win his 70th cap on Saturday
Toulon come calling for Ruan Pienaar
French club reported to have made Ulster scrumhalf an offer to bring him to Top 14
Smith signs up with Toulon for one year
Former Springbok comes out of retirement after agreeing deal with European champions
Smith undergoes medical at Toulon
Former Springbok flanker set to come out of retirement and sign for French club
Clermont and Toulon – a clash of styles
From the austere centre of Auvergne to the brash Mediterranean coast, Clermont and Toulon are the polar opposites of French rugby
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