Heineken European Cup 2012

[Bardon]

I'm already starting to get nervous and the game is 15 hours away.

 

[kronic]

Brad Thorn could be the only player to win a Super Rugby title, World Cup & European Cup!

 

[kronic]

Hopefully I can catch some highlights when I get up at silly o clock on Sunday at the Airport. What's the best source? I've found it very difficult to dig up stuff.

 

[Bullrush]

Brad Thorn could be the only player to win a Super Rugby title, World Cup & European Cup!

Not to mention a couple of NRL titles to boot. The man is a legend....

 

[Bardon]

Some build up to the game from players and coaches. Whatever happens with the result today I think that McLaughlin has done an amazing and professional job for someone told he would be replaced half way through the season.

Hooker Rory Best insists Ulster have no interest in playing the role of "brave losers" in Saturday's Heineken Cup final against Leinster.

Leinster are aiming for a record-breaking third title in four years, but Best says his side are "in a good place" to win their second crown.

"We are in this final to win it," Best said. "It means more to all our players than any other game.

"It is not just about putting on a brave display, it is about winning."

Leinster, with talisman Brian O'Driscoll and in-form full-back Rob Kearney declared fit to start, start short-priced favourites at Twickenham to become only the second team in Heineken Cup history, after Leicester in 2001-2002, to win back-to-back titles.

But having emerged from a group including the Tigers and Clermont Auvergne, won at Munster's Thomond Park fortress in the quarter-finals, and come through an edgy semi-final against Edinburgh, Ulster are intent on seizing the opportunity to make their own history.

"This why we play rugby, for these massive games," added Best. "You need to embrace every second of that because it doesn't last forever. We have great belief when you look at the calibre of players in our squad. We fully deserve to be here. We are a good team and we just need to show that."

While scrum-half Ruan Pienaar - one of four former Springboks in the Ulster side including skipper Johann Muller, number eight Pedrie Wannenburg and full-back Stefan Terblanche - and All Blacks prop John Afoa have all been influential, the local core of the Ulster side has evolved together.

The likes of Best, powerhouse flanker Stephen Ferris, wings Andrew Trimble and Craig Gilroy, centres Darren Cave and Paddy Wallace, prop Tom Court, lock Dan Tuohy and flanker Chris Henry have matured over the past three years under coach Brian McLaughlin, who was informed mid-season that he would be replaced by New Zealand Under-20s coach Mark Anscombe next year.

If Best alluded to the extra motivation Ulster's players may carry to give their coach an appropriate send-off before he is moved aside to run the province's academy - "this season has made us even closer as a team," said the hooker - McLaughlin was keen to distance his position from the equation.

"This is all about Ulster Rugby showing how far we have travelled over the last three years," he said. "I have no doubt these guys will go on that pitch and show everyone what a quality team they are."

While Ulster have surpassed expectations already, Leinster have continued to garner plaudits for the manner in which they have reached their third final in four years.

History beckons for the Dubliners, who could join Toulouse as the only other side to win the Heineken Cup more than twice, and the only one to win it three times in the space of four years.

Coach Joe Schmidt acknowledged that with the injuries to O'Driscoll and Kearney and a variety of "bumps and bruises" afflicting several other players, preparations have been far from ideal.

The New Zealander was happy to acknowledge the threat Ulster pose to his multi-talented team. "The wins they have stacked up in this competition would be enough to make anyone concerned," he said.

Ulster's power at the breakdown, their defensive resilience and Pienaar's goal-kicking prowess certainly make them formidable opponents.

But with fly-half Jonathan Sexton and O'Driscoll directing operations and game-breakers like Cian Healy, Sean O'Brien and Jamie Heaslip in the pack, Leinster's greater experience of these occasions - particular the manner of their astonishing comeback in last year's final - may provide the key to victory.

"The team that keeps their patience and keeps their cool should win," added Schmidt. "The occasion can sometimes dominate the performance. It is important we stay very much grounded and process-orientated, and not get carried away with the occasion."

With Twickenham sold out, it is expected to be the largest ever crowd for a Heineken Cup final, surpassing the 81,076 that witnessed the all-English final between Wasps and Leicester at the stadium in 2007.

Leo Cullen was on the losing side that day, but the Leinster captain now stands on the verge of being the first man to lift the Heineken Cup three times.

"When you experience success, it makes you a bit greedy for more, and you just want to experience those feelings again," said the lock, at 34 the "junior" partner in the second row.

Alongside him on Saturday, 37-year-old All Black Brad Thorn will become the oldest player to feature in a Heineken Cup final, and could become the first in history to have World Cup, Super 15 and Heineken Cup winner on his CV.

 

[Bardon]

Some more build up from former Ulster and Leinster players, I don't think I'm going to last until kick off at this rate!

Saturday's Heineken Cup final at Twickenham will be a celebration of Irish rugby, the first denouement between two sides from the country in 17 years of the tournament.

Leinster, aiming for a third title in four years to join Toulouse as the only other team to have won it more than twice, start favourites against Ulster, who triumphed back in 1999.

BBC Sport has taken the opinions of two former Ireland captains - Phillip Matthews (38 caps from 1984 to 1991 and an ex-Ulster flanker) and Keith Wood (58 caps from 1994 to 2003 and a Heineken Cup finalist with Munster in 2000) - for some insight into Saturday's proceedings.

Two former winners from the two provinces - Ulster's 1999-winning full-back Bryn Cunningham and Leinster lock Malcolm O'Kelly, who played in their 2009 triumph, also weigh in with their thoughts.

So, an all-Irish final... how did that happen?
Well, it's no surprise Leinster are here again. They are a team of all talents, they finished top of the Pro 12 league by 10 points, and they play some of the finest attacking rugby to be found anywhere in the world.

They can also slug it out with the best of them, as they showed in winning a pulsating semi-final over French giants Clermont Auvergne in Bordeaux.

Ulster, it's fair to say, were not being tipped by many at the outset, despite reaching the last eight a year ago for the first time since 1999.

They came through a very tough group which included Leicester and Clermont, stunned two-time champions Munster in their Limerick fortress in the quarter-finals, and held off Edinburgh in a tight semi-final in Dublin to make it through.

How come the Irish sides have become so dominant in Europe?

Certainly a fifth Irish winner in the last seven years - whoever prevails on Saturday - suggests they are doing something right.

A variety of reasons have been put forward, ranging from player management, lack of relegation in the Pro 12 allowing teams to develop a more expansive style, the influence of some innovative Antipodean coaches, to the essential 'spirit' of the provinces.

Irish players certainly play fewer matches in a season than their English counterparts slugging it out in the Premiership, allowing them to rest at certain times and peak for the Heineken Cup.

"In England, clubs are king. In Ireland, country is king, and the country has control of the Heineken Cup teams, because they contract the players, so it is a very different structure," observes Matthews, who nevertheless gives short shrift to the notion that English and French clubs, who provided nine out of the first 10 European champions, are now at a disadvantage.

"I don't buy this theory about the over-intensity of the English season and relegation stopping teams from playing a certain way. I think it comes down to attitude and the tradition of each country.

"England have had quite size-orientated, forward-based teams, since the days of Will Carling's side, and they feel they have to play to their strengths. To a large extent, successful teams in the Premiership, like Leicester, still play that way.

"But if someone matches you physically, what do you do then? If you haven't had to find that something extra in the Premiership, you can't suddenly find it in Europe. To be successful in Europe now, you have to play more of a 15-man game, as Leinster have."

A few blue-chip imports can't do any harm either?

As well as a fine group of locally-produced players led by the thunderous Stephen Ferris, Ulster have benefited hugely from the influence of an All Blacks prop (John Afoa) and a quartet of Springboks: full-back Stefan Terblanche, lock Johann Muller, number eight Pedrie Wannenburg and scrum-half Ruan Pienaar, the latter kicking 14 points in the quarter-final and 17 in the semi.

"Pienaar is just the calmest man in the world," says Wood. "He is slotting kicks from 55m and banging them 20 yards over the bar. He just doesn't seem to feel the pressure."

Cunningham adds: "He is probably the most humble guy you will ever come across, for one of the best players in the world. He has no airs or graces, despite what he has achieved, and gives time to all the young players coming through. On and off the pitch he has been outstanding for Ulster."

Leinster have also recruited wisely. Wallaby flanker Rocky Elsom was the star of their first Heineken triumph in 2009 before returning to Australia. This year, needing an experienced lock as cover while captain Leo Cullen recovered from surgery, they turned to All Black Brad Thorn, who at 37 will become the oldest player to feature in a Heineken Cup final.

"They wanted to make certain they got a leader, and a heavy ball-carrier with a big work-rate, and that is what they got," says Wood. "New Zealanders in particular can have such an influence on the younger guys." Adds O'Kelly: "Watching him lately, I think he is getting better as he gets older."

Why are so many pundits purring about Leinster?

Former England centre Will Greenwood described the first 45 minutes of their quarter-final win over Cardiff Blues, in which they racked up four tries and a 34-3 lead, as "absolute brilliance". Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin calls them a "smashing rugby side".

"Because it is a less structured system where individuals use their own inventiveness, it is difficult to play against and you can't over-analyse it, because they are likely to pull something else off that you haven't planned for," says Matthews.

"They have reached a sort of rugby nirvana, which perhaps only New Zealand, and lately Wales, have reached, where it looks like it has all been thrown together and everyone is doing their own thing. But it's all done within a particular system."

Doesn't sound like Ulster have much of a chance then?

Not necessarily, if you listen to coach McLaughlin, for whom Saturday could be a bitter-sweet final game in charge, having been told mid-season that he is being replaced by unheralded New Zealander, Mark Anscombe, next season.

"We are not going to Twickenham to make up the numbers. We are going to make sure we perform and show we are a quality side as well," he says.

Recent meetings between the two sides don't bode well for Ulster though. Their last win came in October 2009, while Leinster have won the last five, including home and away for the last two seasons.

"Psychologically, that is probably the biggest battle for Ulster," says Cunningham. "If they are going to win, it is not just on the pitch but in their minds before the game."

But once they get on to the Twickenham turf, will their renowned defence be able to cope with Leinster's all-singing, all-dancing attack?

"I don't think they can shut them out completely," says Matthews. "They can't afford to think they can squeeze the life out of them and score penalties to win it. They will have to score tries as well. They can put Leinster under pressure and make them doubt themselves.

"But I think Leinster have too many leaders - Brian O'Driscoll, Brad Thorn, Jamie Heaslip, Gordon D'Arcy, Jonny Sexton - who can pick it up when they need to. I can't see Ulster suppressing that."

O'Driscoll? We haven't even mentioned him yet. Didn't he have an operation last week?

A little trim of the knee cartilage apparently, although most mortals wouldn't contemplate playing in a major final eight days later.

"As soon as he came out of the hospital he said, 'I am playing'," says Wood. "I played with him and the great thing about him, even as young man, was that if he declared himself fit, he was fit enough. If he wasn't fit, he was man enough not to play."

So more glory for BoD and Leinster beckons then?

"I would fully expect Leinster to win," says O'Kelly. "They are overwhelming favourites but that brings a certain weight on the shoulders."

Wood concurs. "It should be Leinster's title again. But if Ulster turn up and Leinster are not quite up to the mark, it could be very tight."

And BoD's thoughts? "You realise that when you get to a final, all bets are off. Anything can happen."

 

[Moulder]

Just realised no matter who wins there will be another addition to the club of players who have won a Super Rugby and Heineken Cup title.

 

[Lara Londara]

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Match Information Of Heineken Cup 2012 Final Live Stream:

(Leinster Vs Ulster)

Time: 17:00 Local

4:00pm (GMT)

Date: 19/05/2012

Venue: Twickenham Stadium

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[Bardon]

Late change for Leinster, Boss failed a fitness test so John Cooney comes onto the bench.

 

[Bardon]

Excellent first 20 minutes, great atmosphere and intensity. Ulster bossed the first 7 minutes and took the lead from a Pienaar penalty. Then Leinster came back into it and scored a try through O'Brien coverted by Sexton. A couple of minutes later Sexton scuffed a very kickable penalty. Lots of rugby yet to play I don't think 80 minutes will be enough, I want this game to go on forever!

 

[Bardon]

Half time Leinster 14 Ulster 6. For their 2nd try Leinster won a scrum against the head on half way, then some dancing feet and a superb flicked inside pass from BOD sent O'Brien through a whole and he ran to 5 metres out, quick recycle and Healy crashed over. Sexton added the extras.

Leinster kept a number of Ulster attacks out then right at the end of the half Pienaar slotted an excellent long range penalty to keep Ulster in the game. If Ulster begin to believe there's still a chance for them to take the trophy. We Leinster fans aren't used to Leinster hitting the front so early in the final.

BOD has looked better than he has in many years and Darren Cave has shown glimpses of the potential that has people heralding him as the new BOD. But the old master still has a few tricks to teach yet. Young Paddy Jackson has maybe been affected slightly by nerves and has been a bit of a mixed bag. Sean O'Brien and Fez have been at their barn storming best and have both created breaks for their teams.

Huge second half on the way.

 

[Bardon]

60 minutes gone Leinster 24 Ulster 14. Poor Paddy Jackson kicked out on the full after the ball had be knocked back into the 22. From the lineout Leinster rumble up to the line forcing Ulster to collapse, Nigel Owens awards a penalty try. Jackson is replaced by Humphreys right after the try. Pienaar and Sexton swap penalties to make it 24-9.

In the last 5 minutes Ulster have made a concerted efforted to get back into the game. The pressure, including some great work from Afoa, ultimately results in Tuohy going over in the corner, Pienaar misses the extras.

After the try Leinster make a number of changes. This one isn't over yet.

 

[Bardon]

Final score Leinster 42 Ulster 14. A bit of red mist from Terblanche, with 7 minutes to go, in the tackle saw him get a yellow card and Leinster get a penalty which Sexton slotted to put Leinster out beyond 2 scores.

van der Merwe and Cronin went over for tries in the last few minutes to stretch out the winning margin. Ulster put out a huge effort today but they tried to take Leinster on at running rugby and no club team in the world can do that at the moment.

In the end there were 3 tries for the front row and all 5 Leinster tries came from the pack.

Sean O'Brien won the man of the match award and it's a well earned reward for his return to form towards the end of the season. BOD looked really sharp especially for someone who had knee surgery last week. Kearney and Sexton were also stand outs in the backs. Healy and Strauss were impressive in the pack. What a HEC debut for Cooney to come on with 5 minutes to go and he looked really at home on the big stage.

Pienaar wasn't as effective for Ulster as he's been in other HEC games this season. Cave, Fez, Terblanche (except for the yc), Afoa all deserves mentions for Ulster for contributing to an excellent final. Ulster have a very good young squad and they'll be back in the next few years.

Leinster have won 3 HECs in 4 years, Ireland have won 5 of the last 7. I just hope that finally the players can produce that form in the green jersey.

Brad Thorn did his het trick of Super Rugby, WC and HEC.

 

[the plastic paddy]

Congratulations leinster, the best team in the NH and would love to see them play crusaders/ reds/sharks. They are some team. Disappointed for Bueller who won't get too many chances at this level because of the cchronic state of his knees. Is SOB turning into a proper 7? He has had a bit of a break and maybe he is going to deliver. Pleased for you Bardon, enjoy your night!!!!!

 

[Riptide]

A comfortable win for Leinster although Ulster really were a disappointing outfit; they had some 20yr old at 10 who really wasnt up to it at all and their pack was on the back foot all day.

O'Brien played well but he is no fetcher. He is a good ball runner but he is 6 1/2, not a 7.

Schmidt has the luxury of being able to select a rested team to peak for big HEC clashes given the relative weakness of much of the Rabo, but nevertheless he has developed an excellent squad. Brian O'Driscoll is still a big game player able to elevate his game when needed; he was very impressive on both sides of the ball.

And Brad Thorn, what a tight forward still! It took several Ulter forwards to try and contain him impact at the breakdown.. He is a force. The ABs are really going to miss him; there is no lock in the NZ game with his combination of work rate, toughness, leadership and smarts to replace him.

 

[Bardon]

O'Brien still has a ways to go to be a true 7 but he's making progress. Also he offers so much more that it's hard to leave him out for Ireland and due to Fez being so good at 6, he'll be wear 7 for Ireland for a while yet.

Paddy Jackson didn't have a good game at all yesterday and was rightly hooked (probably could have come off at half time). But the experience will make him a better player and he showed earlier in the season, including the semi final, that he has plenty of talent.

Players like Thorn are so hard to replace because they are once in a generation type players. I would say for any up and coming lock in NZ it would be a real curse to be labeled the next Brad Thorn as it's such a huge expectation to live up to.

 

[the plastic paddy]

O'Brien still has a ways to go to be a true 7 but he's making progress. Also he offers so much more that it's hard to leave him out for Ireland and due to Fez being so good at 6, he'll be wear 7 for Ireland for a while yet.

Paddy Jackson didn't have a good game at all yesterday and was rightly hooked (probably could have come off at half time). But the experience will make him a better player and he showed earlier in the season, including the semi final, that he has plenty of talent.

Players like Thorn are so hard to replace because they are once in a generation type players. I would say for any up and coming lock in NZ it would be a real curse to be labeled the next Brad Thorn as it's such a huge expectation to live up to.

Hopefully it will stop the Jackson to NZ calls and he can go down to SA for the U20s rwc. Interesting that there is talk in the press that POC is going to be going to NZ; this has become an existential tour for DK, how can Leinster play so well and Ireland so poorly???

 

[en_force_er]

Brad Thorn is ridiculous. Look at al the other players that fall into the "Is he a 6 or a Lock"-mould and how they've never reached their potential (Mumm and MMM come to mind).

Thorn carved out an excellent career as a lock despite conventional wisdom saying he was too short to do so. What a man.

 

[daz]

Brad Thorn could be the only player to win a Super Rugby title, World Cup & European Cup!

Could be, and now is.

Going on with what en_force_er said above, Thorn really is a giant of our game. Love him or hate him he is the definition of a player who bucked the trend (and made smart choices) and as a result achieved greatness.

 

[Bardon]

Rob Kearney has been named European player of the year. Well deserved by Rob who had lost his way for a few seasons but really came back with a bang this year.

Ireland's Rob Kearney wins ERC player of the year title
Ireland and Leinster full-back Rob Kearney has been named as the European player of the year for 2011/12.

The 26-year-old beat off competition from clubmate Jonathan Sexton, Ulster duo Stephen Ferris and Ruan Pienaar, and English fly-half Jonny Wilkinson.

Kearney has been capped 38 times by Ireland and was an integral part of Leinster's Heineken Cup-winning team.

He started all of Leinster's European games as the Irish province triumphed for the third time in four years.

That nine-game run culminated in a 42-14 victory over Ulster in the final on Saturday.

The full-back, who succeeds teammate Sean O'Brien as the winner of northern hemisphere rugby's ultimate individual accolade, scored six tries during the campaign and put in a series of consistently high performances.

"It really is an honour to have won this ERC award," said Kearney.

"While I am delighted with the recognition, an individual player is powerless without the support of his team-mates.

"So I owe this to the Leinster squad, to the management and to all the backroom staff at the club."