Heineken Cup News

1. Golden oldie eyes historic treble
   European rugby might still be fairly new to Leinster Rugby lock Brad Thorn, but he certainly knows how to handle pressure and come out on the winning side when it matters most.
2. Southern links to a northern showpiece
   Saturday's 17th Heineken Cup Final may be the biggest game in the northern hemisphere's club calendar but the tournament has a long and proud history of southern influence as well.
3. Ulster improvement is incredible says veteran
   Veteran Ulster hooker Nigel Brady has described his side's surge to the Heineken Cup Final as 'incredible'.
4. Heineken Cup Final goes global
   The world will be watching when the 17th Heineken Cup final will be broadcast in 125 countries by 23 broadcasters.
5. One goal only for Ulster skipper
   Ulster captain Johann Muller insists his side have 'one goal and one goal' only ahead of Saturday's 17th Heineken Cup Final.
6. Schmidt warns against another slow start
   Leinster coach Joe Schmidt has told his players there is no room for another slow start in this year's Heineken Cup Final.
7. Discipline will be key for champs says captain Cullen
   Leo Cullen knows at first hand the despair of being a losing Heineken Cup finalist at Twickenham and five years on the Leinster Rugby captain is wary of the threat Ulster Rugby's ace Ruan Pienaar presents as the defending champions bid to make it three Heineken Cup crowns in four years.
8. Dan hopes to be thorn in Leinster's side
   Ulster Rugby second row Dan Tuohy has already locked horns with Brad Thorn on the international stage and now he's relishing the prospect of going toe-to-toe with the 2011 World Cup winner once more in Saturday's 17th Heineken Cup Final.
9. O'Driscoll confident of recovering to face Ulster
   Brian O'Driscoll is confident he will have recovered in time from a minor knee operation to play in his third Heineken Cup final on Saturday.
10. Brothers in arms
    Four sets of brothers have Heineken Cup winners' medals - and that could become five at the final whistle this Saturday.
11. Henry hands Ulster a Heineken Cup boost
    Ulster back row Chris Henry has handed his side a huge boost by declaring himself fit for Saturday's Heineken Cup showdown with Leinster.
12. Jennings unfazed by brutal build up
    Leinster flanker Shane Jennings says only time will tell if a hard-fought battle with Glasgow will be the ideal build up to Saturday's Heineken Cup clash with Ulster.
13. Sexton steers Leinster into second final
    The double is on for Leinster Rugby after they booked their place in the RaboDirect PRO12 Final against the Ospreys on Sunday, 27 May after a 19-15 home semi-final win over Glasgow Warriors.
14. We are lucky to be in Final - Schmidt
    Leinster coach Joe Schmidt says his side are lucky to be in the Heineken Cup Final after squeezing past Clermont Auvergne in the semis. He hopes to learn the lessons from last year's victory over Northampton in Part 1 of our interview with the coach of the defending champions.
15. Leinster duo face fitness tests ahead of final
    Leinster stars Brian O'Driscoll and Rob Kearney face further medical assessments ahead of next weekend's Heineken Cup Final after being ruled out of tomorrow's PRO12 play-off.
16. Ferris is Ulster's main man
    Stephen Ferris picked up his club's most coveted prize last night, just over a week before he hopes to get his hands on the biggest reward in European rugby.
17. Schmidt eyes momentum ahead of Heineken Cup
    Leinster head coach Joe Schmidt says Saturday's PRO12 play-off with Glasgow is a chance to build some more momentum ahead of next week's Heineken Cup Final clash with Ulster.
18. Heineken Cup Final facts and figures
    With the 17th Heineken Cup Final now just over a week away, we take a look at some quick-fire facts and figures ahead of the biggest game in the European club calendar.
19. Time for new heroes says Ulster legend
    Harry Williams remembers it as if it was yesterday but 13 years on from Ulster's maiden Heineken Cup triumph he will be the happiest former coach around if they can double their tally a week on Saturday.
20. Favourites tag won't bother Leinster
    Leinster scrum-half Eoin Reddan says being favourites for Heineken Cup glory won't affect his side a week on Saturday.