2007-08 Heineken Cup
Encyclopedia
The 2007–08 Heineken Cup was the 13th edition of the Heineken Cup
, the annual rugby union
European club competition for clubs from the top six nations in European rugby.
The start of the tournament was delayed because of the 2007 Rugby World Cup
. After much doubt over the competition's future, caused by the threat of English and French clubs not participating, showdown talks ensured that teams from both countries would be competing in the 2007–08 tournament. The cup was won by Munster
, who succeeded London Wasps
as European champions after a 16–13 win over Toulouse
in the final at Cardiff
's Millennium Stadium
.
team not automatically qualified for the Heineken Cup
and the third-placed Italian team to decide the 24th qualifying team. This year, the match was between Newport Gwent Dragons
of Wales and Calvisano
.
, progressed farther in the previous year's tournament than any French or Italian team.
Four Welsh teams competed, as a Welsh team won the Italo-Celtic playoff.
Other nations have their usual number of participants: France six, Ireland three, Italy two and Scotland two.
Stade Français Leinster
Benetton Treviso
Glasgow Warriors
Ospreys
The draw then progressed as follows, with at no stage except the last a team being drawn into a pool containing a team from the same nation:
The pools are shown below.
Ties between two teams are broken in the following order:
The quarter-finals are seeded from 1 to 8. The six pool winners receive the top six seeds, based on their point totals. The top two second-place finishers are seeded 7 and 8. The seeds of the qualifying teams are in parentheses next to their names in the tables.
. The winner of each pool, plus the two best runners-up, qualify for the quarter-finals.
, Cardiff
, and refereed by Welsh
referee Nigel Owens
. Toulouse kicked off and managed to regain possession. Toulouse dominated the early parts of the game, and although they missed a penalty goal
five minutes into the game, scrum-half Jean-Baptiste Élissalde
successfully kicked a drop-goal
after eight minutes to give them a 3–0 lead. Toulouse continued to dominate territory but Munster winger Doug Howlett
made a break in the 29th minute setting up a ruck close to the Toulouse try-line. Munster number eight Denis Leamy
then broke from a ruck and attempted to place the ball over the try-line, but lost it forward in the process. From the resulting scrum
, Toulouse were pushed off their own ball and Munster gained possession from which Leamy scored. The try
was converted by Ronan O'Gara
to give Munster a 7–3 lead after 33 minutes. Three minutes later, Munster were awarded a penalty after Toulouse captain Fabien Pelous
was caught not rolling away in the ruck. O'Gara kicked the penalty to extend Munster's lead to 10–3. On the 40-minute mark, Leamy was penalised for going into a ruck off his feet and Élissalde kicked the penalty to reduce Munster's lead to four points at half-time.
Ten minutes into the second half, Munster centre Rua Tipoki
threw a pass that would have given a try to Howlett, but the pass was deemed forward. One minute later Toulouse's Pelous kicked Munster flanker
Alan Quinlan
after Quinlan had stood on Pelous' hand. After the intervention of touch judge Nigel Whitehouse, Pelous was shown a yellow card for his part in the incident and sent to the sin bin for 10 minutes. O'Gara kicked Munster's resulting penalty to give his team a 13–6 lead after 51 minutes. Three minutes later, Toulouse fullback Cédric Heymans
threw the ball into himself, then kicked ahead before collecting his own kick. He then chipped ahead which Toulouse's Yannick Jauzion
kicked once more before wing Yves Donguy
grounded the ball to give Toulouse a try. Elissalde converted the try to tie the scores at 13–13 after 54 minutes. Pelous returned from the sin-bin in the 61st minute, and four minutes later was penalised yet again for not rolling away in the ruck. O'Gara kicked the penalty which gave Munster a 16–13 lead. For most of the remaining time, Munster employed the pick-and-go technique, where the forwards would drive the ball from ruck to ruck in an effort to retain possession and use up time. Munster were penalised in the 78th minute after 17 phases of play; the ball was kicked downfield by Toulouse who counter-attacked. Munster turned the ball over, however, and won a kickable penalty with ten seconds left on the clock. Referee Nigel Owens stopped the clock until the penalty was taken; because of the risk of Toulouse recovering possession, the options of kicking for goal and kicking for touch were ruled out. Instead, Ronan O'Gara tapped the penalty and went into contact. With the ten seconds used up, the ball became unplayable in the collapsed maul, Owens blew the final whistle, and Munster had won 16–13.
Heineken Cup
The Heineken Cup is one of two annual rugby union competitions organised by European Rugby Cup involving leading club, regional and provincial teams from the six International Rugby Board countries in Europe whose national teams compete in the Six Nations Championship: England, France, Ireland,...
, the annual rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
European club competition for clubs from the top six nations in European rugby.
The start of the tournament was delayed because of the 2007 Rugby World Cup
2007 Rugby World Cup
The 2007 Rugby World Cup was the sixth Rugby World Cup, a quadrennial international rugby union competition inaugurated in 1987. Twenty nations competed for the Webb Ellis Cup in the tournament, which was hosted by France from 7 September to 20 October. France won the hosting rights in 2003,...
. After much doubt over the competition's future, caused by the threat of English and French clubs not participating, showdown talks ensured that teams from both countries would be competing in the 2007–08 tournament. The cup was won by Munster
Munster Rugby
Munster Rugby is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Munster, that competes in the RaboDirect Pro12 and Heineken Cup.The team represents the Irish Rugby Football Union Munster Branch which is one of four primary branches of the IRFU, and is responsible for rugby union in the Irish...
, who succeeded London Wasps
London Wasps
London Wasps is an English professional rugby union team. The men's first team, which forms London Wasps, was derived from Wasps Football Club who were formed in 1867 at the now defunct Eton and Middlesex Tavern in North London, at the turn of professionalism in 1999...
as European champions after a 16–13 win over Toulouse
Stade Toulousain
Stade Toulousain, also referred to as Toulouse, is a French rugby union club from Toulouse in Midi-Pyrénées. Toulouse is one of the finest rugby clubs in Europe, having won the Heineken Cup four times – in 1996, 2003, 2005 and 2010. They were also runners-up in 2004 and 2008 against London Wasps...
in the final at Cardiff
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
's Millennium Stadium
Millennium Stadium
The Millennium Stadium is the national stadium of Wales, located in the capital, Cardiff. It is the home of the Wales national rugby union team and also frequently stages games of the Wales national football team, but is also host to many other large scale events, such as the Super Special Stage...
.
Italo-Celtic Playoff
The Italo-Celtic Playoff was a match played between the highest-placed Magners LeagueCeltic League (rugby union)
The Celtic League is an annual rugby union competition involving professional sides from Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales....
team not automatically qualified for the Heineken Cup
Heineken Cup
The Heineken Cup is one of two annual rugby union competitions organised by European Rugby Cup involving leading club, regional and provincial teams from the six International Rugby Board countries in Europe whose national teams compete in the Six Nations Championship: England, France, Ireland,...
and the third-placed Italian team to decide the 24th qualifying team. This year, the match was between Newport Gwent Dragons
Newport Gwent Dragons
Newport Gwent Dragons are one of the four professional Rugby Union regional teams in Wales. They are jointly owned by Newport RFC and the Welsh Rugby Union and play all their home games at Rodney Parade, Newport. They play in the RaboDirect Pro12, the Anglo-Welsh Cup and the Heineken Cup...
of Wales and Calvisano
Calvisano
Calvisano is a comune in the Italian province of Brescia, in Lombardy.It is the manufacturing base of Flyflot, the well known comfort shoe manufacturers.Agritech is a known fiberglass silos company....
.
Teams
Seven English teams participated, as an English team, London WaspsLondon Wasps
London Wasps is an English professional rugby union team. The men's first team, which forms London Wasps, was derived from Wasps Football Club who were formed in 1867 at the now defunct Eton and Middlesex Tavern in North London, at the turn of professionalism in 1999...
, progressed farther in the previous year's tournament than any French or Italian team.
Four Welsh teams competed, as a Welsh team won the Italo-Celtic playoff.
Other nations have their usual number of participants: France six, Ireland three, Italy two and Scotland two.
| England | France | Wales | Ireland | Scotland | Italy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| London Irish London Irish London Irish RFC is an English rugby union club based in Sunbury, Surrey, where the senior squad train, the youth teams and senior academy play home games, and the club maintain their administrative offices. The senior squad play home games at the Madejski Stadium in Reading and compete in the top... Gloucester Bristol Bristol Rugby Bristol Rugby is a rugby union club based in Bristol, England. The club currently plays in the RFU Championship and competes in the British and Irish Cup. They rely in large part on the many junior rugby clubs in the region, particularly those from 'the Combination'... Harlequins Harlequin F.C. The Harlequin Football Club is an English rugby union team who play in the top level of English rugby, the Aviva Premiership. Their ground in London is Twickenham Stoop... Saracens Saracens F.C. Saracens are a professional rugby union team based in St. Albans, England – although they play their home games at Vicarage Road, in Watford. They are currently members of the Aviva Premiership, the top level of domestic rugby union in England... London Wasps London Wasps London Wasps is an English professional rugby union team. The men's first team, which forms London Wasps, was derived from Wasps Football Club who were formed in 1867 at the now defunct Eton and Middlesex Tavern in North London, at the turn of professionalism in 1999... Leicester Tigers Leicester Tigers Leicester Tigers is an English rugby union club that plays in the Aviva Premiership.Leicester are the most successful English club since the introduction of league rugby in 1987, a record 9 times English champions - 3 more than either Bath or Wasps, the last of which was in 2010... |
Perpignan USA Perpignan Union Sportive des Arlequins Perpignanais or Unió eSportiva Arlequins de Perpinyà , generally abbreviated as USAP in both languages, is a French rugby union club that plays in the city of Perpignan in Pyrénées-Orientales. The club currently competes in the Top 14, the top level of the French... Bourgoin CS Bourgoin-Jallieu CS Bourgoin-Jallieu is a French rugby union club currently competing in the second level of the French league system in the Pro D2. The club have been runners-up in the French championship and the Challenge Yves du Manoir competitions, and have won the Challenge Cup.Founded in 1906 as "Club... Stade Français Biarritz Biarritz Olympique Biarritz Olympique Pays Basque is a French professional rugby union team based in the Basque city of Biarritz, Aquitaine which competes in the Top 14 and the Heineken Cup... Clermont ASM Clermont Auvergne Association Sportive Montferrandaise Clermont Auvergne are a French rugby union club from Clermont-Ferrand in Auvergne that currently competes in Top 14, the top level of the French league system, ASMCA are the were the 2010 France Top 14 Champions. It is the rugby section of the multi-sport club... Toulouse Stade Toulousain Stade Toulousain, also referred to as Toulouse, is a French rugby union club from Toulouse in Midi-Pyrénées. Toulouse is one of the finest rugby clubs in Europe, having won the Heineken Cup four times – in 1996, 2003, 2005 and 2010. They were also runners-up in 2004 and 2008 against London Wasps... |
Newport Gwent Dragons Newport Gwent Dragons Newport Gwent Dragons are one of the four professional Rugby Union regional teams in Wales. They are jointly owned by Newport RFC and the Welsh Rugby Union and play all their home games at Rodney Parade, Newport. They play in the RaboDirect Pro12, the Anglo-Welsh Cup and the Heineken Cup... Ospreys Cardiff Blues Cardiff Blues Cardiff Blues are one of the four professional Welsh regional rugby union teams. Based in Cardiff, the capital of Wales, the team have played at Cardiff City Stadium since the start of the 2009/2010 season and are owned by Cardiff Rugby Football Club.... Llanelli Scarlets Llanelli Scarlets The Scarlets are one of the four professional Welsh regional rugby union teams. Based in Llanelli, south-west Wales the team play at the Parc y Scarlets stadium. They play in the RaboDirect Pro12, as well as competing in the LV= Cup and the Heineken Cup... |
Ulster Ulster Rugby Ulster Rugby, usually referred to simply as Ulster, is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Belfast, representing the Irish province of Ulster, that competes in the RaboDirect Pro12 and also competes in the Heineken Cup... Munster Munster Rugby Munster Rugby is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Munster, that competes in the RaboDirect Pro12 and Heineken Cup.The team represents the Irish Rugby Football Union Munster Branch which is one of four primary branches of the IRFU, and is responsible for rugby union in the Irish... Leinster Leinster Rugby Leinster Rugby, usually referred to simply as Leinster, is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Dublin, representing the Irish province of Leinster, that competes in the RaboDirect Pro 12 and also competes in the Heineken Cup... |
Glasgow Warriors Glasgow Warriors The Glasgow Warriors, formerly Glasgow Rugby, are one of two professional rugby union teams in Scotland, Edinburgh being the other. They play in the RaboDirect Pro12 and their home ground is Firhill Stadium, also the home of Partick Thistle Football Club.-History:Glasgow Rugby were created to... Edinburgh |
Benetton Treviso Benetton Rugby Treviso Benetton Rugby Treviso are an Italian professional rugby union club currently competing in the RaboDirect Pro12 and the Heineken Cup.They are based in Treviso in Veneto, and owned by the Benetton clothing company.... Viadana |
Seeding and pool draw
Each of the six participating nations nominated a top seed: London WaspsLondon Wasps
London Wasps is an English professional rugby union team. The men's first team, which forms London Wasps, was derived from Wasps Football Club who were formed in 1867 at the now defunct Eton and Middlesex Tavern in North London, at the turn of professionalism in 1999...
Stade Français Leinster
Leinster Rugby
Leinster Rugby, usually referred to simply as Leinster, is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Dublin, representing the Irish province of Leinster, that competes in the RaboDirect Pro 12 and also competes in the Heineken Cup...
Benetton Treviso
Benetton Rugby Treviso
Benetton Rugby Treviso are an Italian professional rugby union club currently competing in the RaboDirect Pro12 and the Heineken Cup.They are based in Treviso in Veneto, and owned by the Benetton clothing company....
Glasgow Warriors
Glasgow Warriors
The Glasgow Warriors, formerly Glasgow Rugby, are one of two professional rugby union teams in Scotland, Edinburgh being the other. They play in the RaboDirect Pro12 and their home ground is Firhill Stadium, also the home of Partick Thistle Football Club.-History:Glasgow Rugby were created to...
Ospreys
The draw then progressed as follows, with at no stage except the last a team being drawn into a pool containing a team from the same nation:
- The seeded teams were drawn separately into each of the six pools.
- Five of the six remaining English teams were drawn into five separate pools.
- The five remaining French teams were drawn into five separate pools.
- The three remaining Welsh teams were drawn into three separate pools.
- The two remaining Irish teams were drawn into two separate pools.
- The remaining Italian and Scottish teams were drawn into two separate pools.
- The seventh English team was drawn into the final remaining pool spot.
The pools are shown below.
Competition format
In the pool matches, teams receive:- four points for a win
- two points for a draw
- a bonus point for scoring four or more tries, regardless of the match result
- a bonus point for losing by seven or fewer points
Ties between two teams are broken in the following order:
- Competition points earned in head-to-head matches. For example, if tied teams are in the same pool, and split their head-to-head matches, but one team earned a bonus point and the other failed to do so, the team that earned the bonus point will win.
- Tries scored in head-to-head matches.
- Point difference in head-to-head matches.
- Tries scored in all pool matches. This is the first tiebreaker between teams in different pools, which can come into play for determining seeding among first-place teams (and did in 2007–08, with the top three pool winners all finishing on 24 points), or breaking ties among second-place teams.
- Point difference in all pool matches.
- Best disciplinary record in pool play. The team with the fewest players sent off or sin-binned during pool play wins.
- Coin toss.
The quarter-finals are seeded from 1 to 8. The six pool winners receive the top six seeds, based on their point totals. The top two second-place finishers are seeded 7 and 8. The seeds of the qualifying teams are in parentheses next to their names in the tables.
Pool stage
The draw for the pool stages took place on June 20, 2007 at Cardiff's Millennium StadiumMillennium Stadium
The Millennium Stadium is the national stadium of Wales, located in the capital, Cardiff. It is the home of the Wales national rugby union team and also frequently stages games of the Wales national football team, but is also host to many other large scale events, such as the Super Special Stage...
. The winner of each pool, plus the two best runners-up, qualify for the quarter-finals.
Pool 1
| Team | P | W | D | L | Tries for | Tries against | Try diff | Points for | Points against | Points diff | TB | LB | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 England London IrishLondon Irish London Irish RFC is an English rugby union club based in Sunbury, Surrey, where the senior squad train, the youth teams and senior academy play home games, and the club maintain their administrative offices. The senior squad play home games at the Madejski Stadium in Reading and compete in the top... (2) |
6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 25 | 10 | 15 | 182 | 100 | 82 | 4 | 0 | 24 |
 France PerpignanUSA Perpignan Union Sportive des Arlequins Perpignanais or Unió eSportiva Arlequins de Perpinyà , generally abbreviated as USAP in both languages, is a French rugby union club that plays in the city of Perpignan in Pyrénées-Orientales. The club currently competes in the Top 14, the top level of the French... (7) |
6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 20 | 7 | 13 | 171 | 79 | 92 | 2 | 0 | 22 |
 Wales DragonsNewport Gwent Dragons Newport Gwent Dragons are one of the four professional Rugby Union regional teams in Wales. They are jointly owned by Newport RFC and the Welsh Rugby Union and play all their home games at Rodney Parade, Newport. They play in the RaboDirect Pro12, the Anglo-Welsh Cup and the Heineken Cup... |
6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 16 | 22 | −6 | 117 | 191 | −74 | 2 | 2 | 8 |
 Italy Benetton TrevisoBenetton Rugby Treviso Benetton Rugby Treviso are an Italian professional rugby union club currently competing in the RaboDirect Pro12 and the Heineken Cup.They are based in Treviso in Veneto, and owned by the Benetton clothing company.... |
6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 8 | 30 | −22 | 107 | 207 | −100 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
Pool 2
| Team | P | W | D | L | Tries for | Tries against | Try diff | Points for | Points against | Points diff | TB | LB | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| England Gloucester (3) |
6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 24 | 13 | 11 | 184 | 119 | 65 | 4 | 0 | 24 |
| Wales Ospreys (8) |
6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 16 | 9 | 7 | 164 | 102 | 62 | 1 | 0 | 21 |
| France Bourgoin CS Bourgoin-Jallieu CS Bourgoin-Jallieu is a French rugby union club currently competing in the second level of the French league system in the Pro D2. The club have been runners-up in the French championship and the Challenge Yves du Manoir competitions, and have won the Challenge Cup.Founded in 1906 as "Club... |
6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 12 | 19 | −7 | 118 | 174 | −56 | 1 | 3 | 8 |
| Ulster Ulster Rugby Ulster Rugby, usually referred to simply as Ulster, is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Belfast, representing the Irish province of Ulster, that competes in the RaboDirect Pro12 and also competes in the Heineken Cup... |
6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 13 | 24 | −11 | 102 | 173 | −71 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
Pool 3
| Team | P | W | D | L | Tries for | Tries against | Try diff | Points for | Points against | Points diff | TB | LB | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wales Cardiff Blues Cardiff Blues Cardiff Blues are one of the four professional Welsh regional rugby union teams. Based in Cardiff, the capital of Wales, the team have played at Cardiff City Stadium since the start of the 2009/2010 season and are owned by Cardiff Rugby Football Club.... (5) |
6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 7 | 5 | 124 | 76 | 48 | 1 | 1 | 20 |
| France Stade Français |
6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 8 | 4 | 120 | 92 | 28 | 2 | 0 | 18 |
| England Bristol Bristol Rugby Bristol Rugby is a rugby union club based in Bristol, England. The club currently plays in the RFU Championship and competes in the British and Irish Cup. They rely in large part on the many junior rugby clubs in the region, particularly those from 'the Combination'... |
6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 9 | 1 | 83 | 80 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| England Harlequins Harlequin F.C. The Harlequin Football Club is an English rugby union team who play in the top level of English rugby, the Aviva Premiership. Their ground in London is Twickenham Stoop... |
6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 7 | 17 | −10 | 62 | 141 | −79 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Pool 4
| Team | P | W | D | L | Tries for | Tries against | Try diff | Points for | Points against | Points diff | TB | LB | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| England Saracens Saracens F.C. Saracens are a professional rugby union team based in St. Albans, England – although they play their home games at Vicarage Road, in Watford. They are currently members of the Aviva Premiership, the top level of domestic rugby union in England... (1) |
6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 27 | 11 | 16 | 225 | 119 | 106 | 3 | 1 | 24 |
| France Biarritz Biarritz Olympique Biarritz Olympique Pays Basque is a French professional rugby union team based in the Basque city of Biarritz, Aquitaine which competes in the Top 14 and the Heineken Cup... |
6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 11 | −2 | 109 | 116 | −7 | 1 | 1 | 18 |
 Scotland Glasgow WarriorsGlasgow Warriors The Glasgow Warriors, formerly Glasgow Rugby, are one of two professional rugby union teams in Scotland, Edinburgh being the other. They play in the RaboDirect Pro12 and their home ground is Firhill Stadium, also the home of Partick Thistle Football Club.-History:Glasgow Rugby were created to... |
6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 12 | 14 | −2 | 130 | 127 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 16 |
| Italy Viadana |
6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 13 | 25 | −12 | 106 | 208 | −102 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
Pool 5
| Team | P | W | D | L | Tries for | Tries against | Try diff | Points for | Points against | Points diff | TB | LB | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Munster Munster Rugby Munster Rugby is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Munster, that competes in the RaboDirect Pro12 and Heineken Cup.The team represents the Irish Rugby Football Union Munster Branch which is one of four primary branches of the IRFU, and is responsible for rugby union in the Irish... (6) |
6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 13 | 7 | 6 | 148 | 95 | 53 | 1 | 2 | 19 |
| France Clermont ASM Clermont Auvergne Association Sportive Montferrandaise Clermont Auvergne are a French rugby union club from Clermont-Ferrand in Auvergne that currently competes in Top 14, the top level of the French league system, ASMCA are the were the 2010 France Top 14 Champions. It is the rugby section of the multi-sport club... |
6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 22 | 15 | 7 | 189 | 128 | 61 | 2 | 1 | 19 |
| England London Wasps London Wasps London Wasps is an English professional rugby union team. The men's first team, which forms London Wasps, was derived from Wasps Football Club who were formed in 1867 at the now defunct Eton and Middlesex Tavern in North London, at the turn of professionalism in 1999... |
6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 19 | 12 | 7 | 152 | 127 | 25 | 2 | 0 | 18 |
| Wales Llanelli Scarlets Llanelli Scarlets The Scarlets are one of the four professional Welsh regional rugby union teams. Based in Llanelli, south-west Wales the team play at the Parc y Scarlets stadium. They play in the RaboDirect Pro12, as well as competing in the LV= Cup and the Heineken Cup... |
6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 8 | 28 | −20 | 74 | 213 | −139 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Pool 6
| Team | P | W | D | L | Tries for | Tries against | Try diff | Points for | Points against | Points diff | TB | LB | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| France Toulouse Stade Toulousain Stade Toulousain, also referred to as Toulouse, is a French rugby union club from Toulouse in Midi-Pyrénées. Toulouse is one of the finest rugby clubs in Europe, having won the Heineken Cup four times – in 1996, 2003, 2005 and 2010. They were also runners-up in 2004 and 2008 against London Wasps... (4) |
6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 13 | 7 | 6 | 130 | 76 | 54 | 2 | 2 | 20 |
| England Leicester Tigers Leicester Tigers Leicester Tigers is an English rugby union club that plays in the Aviva Premiership.Leicester are the most successful English club since the introduction of league rugby in 1987, a record 9 times English champions - 3 more than either Bath or Wasps, the last of which was in 2010... |
6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 110 | 79 | 31 | 1 | 1 | 14 |
| Leinster Leinster Rugby Leinster Rugby, usually referred to simply as Leinster, is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Dublin, representing the Irish province of Leinster, that competes in the RaboDirect Pro 12 and also competes in the Heineken Cup... |
6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 11 | −4 | 95 | 123 | −28 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Scotland Edinburgh |
6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 15 | −7 | 85 | 142 | −57 | 0 | 1 | 9 |
Seeding and runners-up
| Seed | Pool winners | Pts | TF | +/− |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | England Saracens Saracens F.C. Saracens are a professional rugby union team based in St. Albans, England – although they play their home games at Vicarage Road, in Watford. They are currently members of the Aviva Premiership, the top level of domestic rugby union in England... |
24 | 27 | |
| 2 | England London Irish London Irish London Irish RFC is an English rugby union club based in Sunbury, Surrey, where the senior squad train, the youth teams and senior academy play home games, and the club maintain their administrative offices. The senior squad play home games at the Madejski Stadium in Reading and compete in the top... |
24 | 25 | |
| 3 | England Gloucester |
24 | 24 | |
| 4 | France Toulouse Stade Toulousain Stade Toulousain, also referred to as Toulouse, is a French rugby union club from Toulouse in Midi-Pyrénées. Toulouse is one of the finest rugby clubs in Europe, having won the Heineken Cup four times – in 1996, 2003, 2005 and 2010. They were also runners-up in 2004 and 2008 against London Wasps... |
20 | 13 | |
| 5 | Wales Cardiff Blues Cardiff Blues Cardiff Blues are one of the four professional Welsh regional rugby union teams. Based in Cardiff, the capital of Wales, the team have played at Cardiff City Stadium since the start of the 2009/2010 season and are owned by Cardiff Rugby Football Club.... |
20 | 12 | |
| 6 | Munster Munster Rugby Munster Rugby is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Munster, that competes in the RaboDirect Pro12 and Heineken Cup.The team represents the Irish Rugby Football Union Munster Branch which is one of four primary branches of the IRFU, and is responsible for rugby union in the Irish... |
19 | 13 | |
| Seed | Pool runners-up | Pts | TF | +/− |
| 7 | France Perpignan USA Perpignan Union Sportive des Arlequins Perpignanais or Unió eSportiva Arlequins de Perpinyà , generally abbreviated as USAP in both languages, is a French rugby union club that plays in the city of Perpignan in Pyrénées-Orientales. The club currently competes in the Top 14, the top level of the French... |
22 | 20 | |
| 8 | Wales Ospreys |
21 | 16 | |
| – | France Clermont ASM Clermont Auvergne Association Sportive Montferrandaise Clermont Auvergne are a French rugby union club from Clermont-Ferrand in Auvergne that currently competes in Top 14, the top level of the French league system, ASMCA are the were the 2010 France Top 14 Champions. It is the rugby section of the multi-sport club... |
19 | 22 | |
| – | France Stade Français |
18 | 12 | |
| – | France Biarritz Biarritz Olympique Biarritz Olympique Pays Basque is a French professional rugby union team based in the Basque city of Biarritz, Aquitaine which competes in the Top 14 and the Heineken Cup... |
18 | 9 | −7 |
| – | England Leicester Tigers Leicester Tigers Leicester Tigers is an English rugby union club that plays in the Aviva Premiership.Leicester are the most successful English club since the introduction of league rugby in 1987, a record 9 times English champions - 3 more than either Bath or Wasps, the last of which was in 2010... |
14 | 10 |
Quarter-finals
Semi-finals
Final
The final was hosted at the neutral Millennium StadiumMillennium Stadium
The Millennium Stadium is the national stadium of Wales, located in the capital, Cardiff. It is the home of the Wales national rugby union team and also frequently stages games of the Wales national football team, but is also host to many other large scale events, such as the Super Special Stage...
, Cardiff
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
, and refereed by Welsh
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
referee Nigel Owens
Nigel Owens
Nigel Owens is a Welsh international rugby union referee. He is an international and Heineken Cup referee and was the only Welsh referee at the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France....
. Toulouse kicked off and managed to regain possession. Toulouse dominated the early parts of the game, and although they missed a penalty goal
Penalty (rugby)
In rugby football, the penalty is the main disciplinary sanction available to the referee to penalise players who commit deliberate infringements. The team who did not commit the infringement are given possession of the ball and may either kick it towards touch , attempt a place kick at goal, or...
five minutes into the game, scrum-half Jean-Baptiste Élissalde
Jean-Baptiste Élissalde
Jean-Baptiste Élissalde is a former French rugby union player, playing either as a scrum-half or as a fly-half, and current backs coach of the Stade Toulousain.-Early life:...
successfully kicked a drop-goal
Field goal (rugby)
A drop goal, also referred to as a dropped goal or field goal, is a method of scoring points in rugby union and rugby league. A drop goal cannot be scored in open play by punting the ball, and instead must be scored by drop kicking the ball over the crossbar and between the uprights. After the...
after eight minutes to give them a 3–0 lead. Toulouse continued to dominate territory but Munster winger Doug Howlett
Doug Howlett
Douglas Charles Howlett is a professional New Zealand rugby union player of Tongan descent. He is primarily a wing but he has also covered fullback at national and international levels. He currently plays in Ireland with Munster. He is the brother of former Tongan rugby league international Phil...
made a break in the 29th minute setting up a ruck close to the Toulouse try-line. Munster number eight Denis Leamy
Denis Leamy
Denis Leamy is an Irish professional rugby union player. He is a back row forward who can play either blind side flanker or at number 8, and has occasionally played at inside centre...
then broke from a ruck and attempted to place the ball over the try-line, but lost it forward in the process. From the resulting scrum
Scrum (rugby union)
In rugby union a scrum is a means of restarting play after a minor infringement. It involves up to eight players from each team, known as the pack or forward pack, binding together in three rows and interlocking with the free opposing teams forwards. At this point the ball is fed into the gap...
, Toulouse were pushed off their own ball and Munster gained possession from which Leamy scored. The try
Try
A try is the major way of scoring points in rugby league and rugby union football. A try is scored by grounding the ball in the opposition's in-goal area...
was converted by Ronan O'Gara
Ronan O'Gara
Ronan John Ross O'Gara is an Irish rugby union player, playing at fly-half for both Munster and Ireland. He is the all time highest point scorer for both Munster and Ireland. In addition to his prolific point-scoring, he has captained Munster, Ireland and the British and Irish Lions...
to give Munster a 7–3 lead after 33 minutes. Three minutes later, Munster were awarded a penalty after Toulouse captain Fabien Pelous
Fabien Pelous
Fabien Pelous is a retired French rugby union footballer. A lock who also occasionally played as a number eight and flanker, he played almost all of his professional career for Stade Toulousain, and is the all-time leader in appearances for the French national team...
was caught not rolling away in the ruck. O'Gara kicked the penalty to extend Munster's lead to 10–3. On the 40-minute mark, Leamy was penalised for going into a ruck off his feet and Élissalde kicked the penalty to reduce Munster's lead to four points at half-time.
Ten minutes into the second half, Munster centre Rua Tipoki
Rua Tipoki
Te Rua Reihana Tipoki brought up in Te Araroa in Gisborne, is a retired rugby union player who has played for North Harbour in the Air New Zealand Cup and for the Auckland Blues in the Super 14. Tipoki also played for Irish provincial side Munster until 2009. His position was outside centre...
threw a pass that would have given a try to Howlett, but the pass was deemed forward. One minute later Toulouse's Pelous kicked Munster flanker
Flanker (rugby union)
A flanker is a position in the sport of rugby union. Flankers play in the forwards, and are generally classified as either blindside, or openside flankers; numbers six and seven respectively. The name comes from their position in a scrum in which they flank each set of forwards...
Alan Quinlan
Alan Quinlan
Alan Quinlan is an Irish rugby union player. He played for Munster and is registered to the AIB League side Shannon. He retired from rugby in May 2011.-Career:...
after Quinlan had stood on Pelous' hand. After the intervention of touch judge Nigel Whitehouse, Pelous was shown a yellow card for his part in the incident and sent to the sin bin for 10 minutes. O'Gara kicked Munster's resulting penalty to give his team a 13–6 lead after 51 minutes. Three minutes later, Toulouse fullback Cédric Heymans
Cédric Heymans
Cédric Heymans is a French rugby union footballer. He currently plays for Aviron Bayonnais after signing from Stade Toulousain in 2011. He started his club career with CA Brive before moving to SU Agen, where he stayed until the late 1990s, before signing with Toulouse...
threw the ball into himself, then kicked ahead before collecting his own kick. He then chipped ahead which Toulouse's Yannick Jauzion
Yannick Jauzion
Yannick Jauzion is a French rugby union footballer. He plays at centre for Stade Toulousain and the French national team....
kicked once more before wing Yves Donguy
Yves Donguy
Yves Donguy born 1 January 1982 in Daloa is a rugby union player for Toulouse in the Top 14 competition. He plays on the wing.He played in the Heineken Cup Final 2008.He arrived in France at 6 years old...
grounded the ball to give Toulouse a try. Elissalde converted the try to tie the scores at 13–13 after 54 minutes. Pelous returned from the sin-bin in the 61st minute, and four minutes later was penalised yet again for not rolling away in the ruck. O'Gara kicked the penalty which gave Munster a 16–13 lead. For most of the remaining time, Munster employed the pick-and-go technique, where the forwards would drive the ball from ruck to ruck in an effort to retain possession and use up time. Munster were penalised in the 78th minute after 17 phases of play; the ball was kicked downfield by Toulouse who counter-attacked. Munster turned the ball over, however, and won a kickable penalty with ten seconds left on the clock. Referee Nigel Owens stopped the clock until the penalty was taken; because of the risk of Toulouse recovering possession, the options of kicking for goal and kicking for touch were ruled out. Instead, Ronan O'Gara tapped the penalty and went into contact. With the ten seconds used up, the ball became unplayable in the collapsed maul, Owens blew the final whistle, and Munster had won 16–13.
Top point scorers
| Points | Name | Club | Apps | Tries | Con | Pen | Drop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 113 | Ronan O'Gara Ronan O'Gara Ronan John Ross O'Gara is an Irish rugby union player, playing at fly-half for both Munster and Ireland. He is the all time highest point scorer for both Munster and Ireland. In addition to his prolific point-scoring, he has captained Munster, Ireland and the British and Irish Lions... |
Munster Munster Rugby Munster Rugby is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Munster, that competes in the RaboDirect Pro12 and Heineken Cup.The team represents the Irish Rugby Football Union Munster Branch which is one of four primary branches of the IRFU, and is responsible for rugby union in the Irish... |
9 | 1 | 12 | 28 | 0 |
| 98 |  New Zealand Glen JacksonGlen Jackson (rugby player) Glen Warwick Jackson is a former New Zealand rugby union player who now serves as a referee in that sport... |
England Saracens Saracens F.C. Saracens are a professional rugby union team based in St. Albans, England – although they play their home games at Vicarage Road, in Watford. They are currently members of the Aviva Premiership, the top level of domestic rugby union in England... |
6 | 2 | 20 | 16 | 0 |
| 84 | Wales James Hook James Hook (rugby player) James William Hook is a Welsh rugby union player for USA Perpignan. Hook is widely regarded as one of the most talented players in world rugby.... |
Wales Ospreys |
6 | 0 | 12 | 20 | 0 |
| 75 |  Australia Peter HewatPeter Hewat Peter Hewat is an Australian rugby union player now playing in Japan's Top League for Suntory Sungoliath. He previously played for the NSW Waratahs and London Irish... |
England London Irish London Irish London Irish RFC is an English rugby union club based in Sunbury, Surrey, where the senior squad train, the youth teams and senior academy play home games, and the club maintain their administrative offices. The senior squad play home games at the Madejski Stadium in Reading and compete in the top... |
6 | 4 | 14 | 9 | 0 |
| 75 | Scotland Dan Parks Dan Parks Daniel Arthur Parks is a Scottish international rugby union player who plays for RaboDirect Pro12 side Cardiff Blues as fly-half... |
Scotland Glasgow Warriors Glasgow Warriors The Glasgow Warriors, formerly Glasgow Rugby, are one of two professional rugby union teams in Scotland, Edinburgh being the other. They play in the RaboDirect Pro12 and their home ground is Firhill Stadium, also the home of Partick Thistle Football Club.-History:Glasgow Rugby were created to... |
6 | 1 | 8 | 17 | 1 |
| 73 | England Ryan Lamb Ryan Lamb Ryan Lamb is a rugby union player who plays at fly-half for Northampton Saints in the Aviva Premiership.-Club career:... |
England Gloucester |
6 | 4 | 13 | 9 | 0 |
| 67 |  South Africa Marius Goosen |
Italy Benetton Benetton Rugby Treviso Benetton Rugby Treviso are an Italian professional rugby union club currently competing in the RaboDirect Pro12 and the Heineken Cup.They are based in Treviso in Veneto, and owned by the Benetton clothing company.... |
6 | 0 | 5 | 19 | 0 |
| 65 |  Argentina Felipe ContepomiFelipe Contepomi Felipe Contepomi is an Argentine rugby union footballer. A fly-half and centre, he currently plays for Stade Francais of the French Top 14; he made his debut for the club in November 2009 after recovering from a torn ACL suffered in a 2008–09 Heineken Cup match with his previous club, Magners... |
Leinster Leinster Rugby Leinster Rugby, usually referred to simply as Leinster, is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Dublin, representing the Irish province of Leinster, that competes in the RaboDirect Pro 12 and also competes in the Heineken Cup... |
6 | 1 | 6 | 15 | 1 |
| 65 | England Andy Goode Andy Goode Andrew James Goode is a rugby union footballer who plays fly-half for Worcester and England.-Career:... |
England Leicester Tigers Leicester Tigers Leicester Tigers is an English rugby union club that plays in the Aviva Premiership.Leicester are the most successful English club since the introduction of league rugby in 1987, a record 9 times English champions - 3 more than either Bath or Wasps, the last of which was in 2010... |
6 | 1 | 6 | 16 | 0 |
| 65 | Australia Brock James Brock James Brock James is an Australian rugby union player currently playing for French club ASM Clermont Auvergne.... |
France Clermont ASM Clermont Auvergne Association Sportive Montferrandaise Clermont Auvergne are a French rugby union club from Clermont-Ferrand in Auvergne that currently competes in Top 14, the top level of the French league system, ASMCA are the were the 2010 France Top 14 Champions. It is the rugby section of the multi-sport club... |
4 | 1 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
Top try scorers
| Player | Club | Tries | Apps |
|---|---|---|---|
| France Aurélien Rougerie Aurélien Rougerie Aurélien Rougerie plays on the wing and Centre for France and captains ASM Clermont Auvergne in the French Top 14.-Career:Rougerie was born in Beaumont, Puy-de-Dôme... |
France Clermont ASM Clermont Auvergne Association Sportive Montferrandaise Clermont Auvergne are a French rugby union club from Clermont-Ferrand in Auvergne that currently competes in Top 14, the top level of the French league system, ASMCA are the were the 2010 France Top 14 Champions. It is the rugby section of the multi-sport club... |
5 | 4 |
| England Richard Haughton Richard Haughton (rugby player) Richard Haughton is a rugby union footballer who plays on the wing for London Wasps in the Aviva Premiership, England Saxons and England Sevens. He previously played for Saracens.... |
England Saracens Saracens F.C. Saracens are a professional rugby union team based in St. Albans, England – although they play their home games at Vicarage Road, in Watford. They are currently members of the Aviva Premiership, the top level of domestic rugby union in England... |
5 | 5 |
| France Vincent Clerc Vincent Clerc Vincent Clerc is a French rugby union player who plays on the wing.-Biography:Born in the city of Échirolles, suburb of the south of Grenoble , Clerc first played rugby at FC Grenoble, helping them reach the Top 16 before moving to Toulouse in 2002, where he has been playing ever since... |
France Toulouse Stade Toulousain Stade Toulousain, also referred to as Toulouse, is a French rugby union club from Toulouse in Midi-Pyrénées. Toulouse is one of the finest rugby clubs in Europe, having won the Heineken Cup four times – in 1996, 2003, 2005 and 2010. They were also runners-up in 2004 and 2008 against London Wasps... |
4 | 6 |
| Argentina Tomás de Vedia Tomás de Vedia Tomás de Vedia is an Argentine rugby union player, who plays for London Irish and Argentina.Born to back row Ricardo "Tacho" de Vedia, he trained at the San Isidro Club in Buenos Aires, debuting in the top league of Argentine rugby in 2003... |
England London Irish London Irish London Irish RFC is an English rugby union club based in Sunbury, Surrey, where the senior squad train, the youth teams and senior academy play home games, and the club maintain their administrative offices. The senior squad play home games at the Madejski Stadium in Reading and compete in the top... |
4 | 6 |
| South Africa Jaco Erasmus Jaco Erasmus Jaco Erasmus is an South African-born Italian rugby union naturalized player.Erasmus currently plays for Rugby Viadana where he gained qualification for the Italian national team... |
Italy Viadana |
4 | 5 |
| France Guilhem Guirado Guilhem Guirado Guilhem Guirado is a French rugby union player. Guirado, who is a hooker, plays club rugby for Perpignan. He made his debut for France against Italy on 9 March 2008.... |
France Perpignan USA Perpignan Union Sportive des Arlequins Perpignanais or Unió eSportiva Arlequins de Perpinyà , generally abbreviated as USAP in both languages, is a French rugby union club that plays in the city of Perpignan in Pyrénées-Orientales. The club currently competes in the Top 14, the top level of the French... |
4 | 6 |
| Australia Peter Hewat Peter Hewat Peter Hewat is an Australian rugby union player now playing in Japan's Top League for Suntory Sungoliath. He previously played for the NSW Waratahs and London Irish... |
England London Irish London Irish London Irish RFC is an English rugby union club based in Sunbury, Surrey, where the senior squad train, the youth teams and senior academy play home games, and the club maintain their administrative offices. The senior squad play home games at the Madejski Stadium in Reading and compete in the top... |
4 | 6 |
| England Ryan Lamb Ryan Lamb Ryan Lamb is a rugby union player who plays at fly-half for Northampton Saints in the Aviva Premiership.-Club career:... |
England Gloucester |
4 | 5 |
 Fiji Kameli RatuvouKameli Ratuvou -Career:He is currently playing for professional English club, Saracens he joined the squad from Fiji for the 2006/07 season. His usual position is on the wing even though he can also play at centre and fullback... |
England Saracens Saracens F.C. Saracens are a professional rugby union team based in St. Albans, England – although they play their home games at Vicarage Road, in Watford. They are currently members of the Aviva Premiership, the top level of domestic rugby union in England... |
4 | 6 |
| France Julien Arias Julien Arias Julien Arias is a French rugby union footballer. He currently plays for Stade Français Paris in the top level of French club rugby, the Top 14. His usual position is on the wing. Prior to playing for Stade Français Paris, he was with the US Colomiers club. He has also represented France at the... |
France Stade Français |
3 | 5 |
| England Delon Armitage Delon Armitage Delon Anthony Armitage is a rugby union footballer who plays at wing or fullback for London Irish and England. He also occasionally plays centre and often does place kicking, mainly from a distance or if the regular kicker is unable to take it.From 1996 to 2002, Armitage lived in... |
England London Irish London Irish London Irish RFC is an English rugby union club based in Sunbury, Surrey, where the senior squad train, the youth teams and senior academy play home games, and the club maintain their administrative offices. The senior squad play home games at the Madejski Stadium in Reading and compete in the top... |
3 | 6 |
| Scotland John Barclay John Barclay (rugby player) John Barclay born 24 September 1986 in Hong Kong is a Scottish rugby union player for Glasgow Warriors in the Magners League.Barclay's position of choice is as a Flanker.... |
Scotland Glasgow Warriors Glasgow Warriors The Glasgow Warriors, formerly Glasgow Rugby, are one of two professional rugby union teams in Scotland, Edinburgh being the other. They play in the RaboDirect Pro12 and their home ground is Firhill Stadium, also the home of Partick Thistle Football Club.-History:Glasgow Rugby were created to... |
3 | 6 |
| Italy Steven Bortolussi |
Italy Viadana |
3 | 6 |
| Scotland Simon Danielli Simon Danielli Simon Charles Jonathan Danielli is a professional rugby union player who plays on the wing for Ulster and Scotland.-Early life:... |
Ulster Ulster Rugby Ulster Rugby, usually referred to simply as Ulster, is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Belfast, representing the Irish province of Ulster, that competes in the RaboDirect Pro12 and also competes in the Heineken Cup... |
3 | 5 |
| Wales Sonny Parker |
Wales Ospreys |
3 | 5 |
| England James Simpson-Daniel James Simpson-Daniel James David Simpson-Daniel is an English rugby union footballer who plays wing or centre for Gloucester Rugby.... |
England Gloucester |
3 | 5 |
| England Richard Thorpe Richard Thorpe (rugby player) Richard Thorpe is a rugby union player for London Irish in the Aviva Premiership, playing as a Flanker or No. 8.Thorpe made his debut in an EDF Energy Cup match against London Wasps... |
England London Irish London Irish London Irish RFC is an English rugby union club based in Sunbury, Surrey, where the senior squad train, the youth teams and senior academy play home games, and the club maintain their administrative offices. The senior squad play home games at the Madejski Stadium in Reading and compete in the top... |
3 | 5 |