X-Nico

2 unusual facts about Heineken Cup


Against the Head

The series runs for the busiest period of the rugby season usually from February to May, and takes in the RBS 6 Nations Championship, Heineken Cup and AIB League and Cup, and brings its audience the latest news on developments within the game.

Tomás O'Leary

An injury to Peter Stringer early in the 2005/2006 season meant O'Leary had a chance to play, making his Heineken Cup debut against Sale Sharks in October 2005.


Andries Strauss

Andries Strauss born 5 March 1984 in Pretoria, South Africa is a rugby union player for Edinburgh in the Pro 12 and Heineken Cup competitions.

Claire Evans

During her year long reign she attended many events and was appointed an Ambassador for the 2006 Heineken Cup Rugby alongside Ieuan Evans and Rob Howley.

Cristian Bezzi

Since then he has captained Viadana to a number of achievements such as the final of the European Shield in 2004 and qualification for the Heineken Cup in 2007.

Declan Fitzpatrick

Then due to John Afoas suspension for the Heineken Cup semi-final Fitzpatrick had to go and play in front of 50,000 at the Aviva.

Jonny May

His first taste of first team action came in the Heineken Cup when he replaced Charlie Sharples against Newport Gwent Dragons and just over a month later he made his first start against London Wasps in the Anglo-Welsh Cup.

Josh Drauniniu

He made one Heineken Cup appearance, as a replacement against the Cardiff Blues at The Stoop, and was named on the bench for last years A League final against Leicester Development at Welford Road, which the home side won 29-27.

Mickaël Forest

With Bourgoin Forrest played in the final of the 2003 Challenge Yves du Manoir (which was lost), and has played in 18 Heineken Cup matches.

Old Collegians Rugby Club

Brock James represented Australia as an under 16, 19 and 21 and played for both the Queensland Reds and the Western Force in Super Rugby before going on to be the top points scorer in the Top 14 in France with Clermont Auvergne, appearing in numerous grand finals and the Heineken Cup.

Patrick Butler

He made his Heineken Cup debut on 13 October 2012, in Munster's opening fixture away to Racing Métro 92.

Paul Steinmetz

He scored his final first-class try in a Heineken Cup match against Stade Français on 24 January and retired as a player at the conclusion of the season.

Rocky Elsom

In 2010 Elsom was named at blindside flanker in a European dream team by the ERC to celebrate the fifteenth anniversary of the Heineken Cup, this came despite him only spending one season with Leinster such was his impact during the tournament that year.

Ryle Nugent

He is the resident rugby union commentator for RTÉ's television coverage of international and club competitions, such as the Six Nations Championship, Heineken Cup and Rugby World Cup.

Scottish rugby union system

With the advent of professionalism in 1995 the Scottish Rugby Union decided that existing club sides would be unable to compete with their wealthier English and French counterparts in new cross-border tournaments such as the European Cup and Celtic League.

Tom Mercey

On 21 January 2006 Mercey made his debut for the Saracens first team in a Heineken Cup game against Biarritz Olympique.

Trevor Leota

For two weeks prior to the 2004 Heineken Cup final, he was famously assigned a round-the-clock minder by the Wasps management, in order that he could be prevented from indulging his passion for buckets of KFC.


see also

2011–12 Top 14 season

Due to the interplay between LNR's schedule for Heineken Cup qualification and the rules of European Rugby Cup (ERC), which operates both European cup competitions, it is theoretically possible that a team finishing as high as fourth in the league table may not qualify for the Heineken Cup.

Bridgend Ravens

They were however not without their problems, on the field despite not being able to field their international players for long periods during the season (due to 2003 Rugby World Cup and 2004 Six Nations Championship), the side were competitive, finishing 4th in the Celtic League and going very close to making the quarter finals of the Heineken Cup.

European Rugby Cup

The inaugural Heineken Cup competition was held in 1995-96, with the second tier competition established the following season.

Heineken Cup 2011

2011 Heineken Cup Final, the final of the 2010–11 Heineken Cup competition

Heineken Cup 2012

2012 Heineken Cup Final, the final of the 2011–12 Heineken Cup competition

Lifeimi Mafi

Their attacking play was epitomised by Tipoki's score against Wasps in Round 1 of the Heineken Cup at the Ricoh Arena, which was created by Mafi.

Olly Barkley

He scored his first Heineken Cup try in a game against Italian club Gran Rugby, whilst playing at fullback on 11 October 2002 in Parma.