Amlin Challenge Cup News

1. Bastareaud boost among pleasing preparations
   Toulon have been handed a timely boost ahead of Friday's Amlin Challenge Cup Final with the news that Mathieu Bastareuad will be fit to face Biarritz Olympique.
2. Time for Toulon to end long wait
   Steffon Armitage has rekindled his love of playing rugby with Toulon and is determined to help them collect their first bit of silverware for 20 years when they clash with Biarritz Olympique in the Amlin Challenge Cup final at the Twickenham Stoop on Friday night (8pm).
3. Heineken Cup the spur says Blanco
   Biarritz Olympique - the 2006 and 2010 Heineken Cup finalists - hope it's third time lucky in their pursuit of a European title when they clash with Toulon in the Amlin Challenge Cup Final at the Twickenham Stoop on Friday night (8pm).
4. Armitage after double celebration
   Steffon Armitage could be enjoying a double celebration this Friday as he looks to add Amlin Challenge Cup glory to an impressive personal accolade.
5. Cheika and Stade Francais set to part company
   Michael Cheika, who led Leinster Rugby to their first Heineken Cup final triumph, has been released from the final year of his contract with Stade Francais Paris.
6. Huge stakes for Harinordoquy
   Biarritz Olympique talisman Imanol Harinordoquy says Friday's Amlin Challenge Cup clash with Toulon is absolutely huge for more than just one reason.
7. Here's Jonny, England hero returns in Amlin
   Jonny Wilkinson is looking forward to a return to England for the Amlin Challenge Cup Final at the Stoop in Twickenham, in what could be one of the last chances for English rugby fans watch the World Cup hero live.
8. Joe eyes Amlin prize
   South African Joe van Niekerk says the Amlin final is a unique chance for English rugby fans to witness the differences of an all-French final as his Toulon side take on Biarittz at The Stoop in Twickenham.
9. Amlin is my first big final - Hayman
   Former All Black prop Carl Hayman has been one of the top players in the world for several years, but this year's Amlin Challenge Cup Final for Toulon against Biarittz will be his first major final appearance. He is looking forward to being part of a unique chance for rugby fans to witness the best of the French club game at first hand.
10. Harinordoquy on course for Amlin final
    Biarritz Olympique have been given a massive boost ahead of the Amlin Challenge Cup final against Toulon at the Twickenham Stoop on Friday night (20.00) with talisman Imanol Harinordoquy going the full 80 minutes in the club's final domestic outing.
11. Amlin finalists looking to travel on a high
    Amlin Challenge Cup finalists Biarritz Olympique and Toulon are looking for a boost this afternoon as they prepare for Friday's London showdown.
12. Laporte tells Toulon to believe
    Bernard Laporte has told his Toulon team they can win a remarkable double this season, but only if they back themselves 100 per cent.
13. Ngwenya's pace could be crucial
    Speed could be the decisive factor when Biarritz Olympique take on Toulon in the Amlin Challenge Cup Final next Friday and Takudzwa Ngwenya could be the difference between the two teams.
14. Big blow for Benoit Baby and Biarritz
    Biarritz Olympique have been dealt a big blow ahead of the Amlin Challenge Cup Final with the news that Benoit Baby is out for the rest of the season.
15. Top 14 safety boosts Biarritz' Amlin preparations
    Biarritz Olympique president Serge Blanco believes the fact that his side have secured their place in the Top 14 for next term will have a big bearing on their preparations for the Amlin Challenge Cup Final.
16. Stoop set to add flavour to French affair
    Toulon full back Benjamin Lapeyre believes the atmosphere at the Twickenham Stoop will help make the Amlin Challenge Cup Final a truly memorable occasion.
17. Schofield senses huge travelling support for Toulon
    The result of this month's Amlin Challenge Cup Final may be tough to predict but Dean Schofield believes one thing is certain: his Toulon team will bring a fanatical support with them to England.
18. One focus for Biarritz, while Toulon fight on two fronts
    Amlin Challenge Cup finalists RC Toulon are chasing a domestic and European double having secured a play-off spot in the Top 14 with an impressive win over Toulouse on Saturday.
19. Bastareaud hopes to be back for second shot at glory
    Mathieu Bastareaud is targeting Amlin Challenge Cup glory at the second time of asking after missing out on a winners medal in last year's final.
20. Biarritz again without Harinordoquy
    Amlin Challenge Cup finalists Biarritz Olympique could take a giant step closer to Top 14 survival when they go to Stade Yves du Manoir to play Montpellier in a vital Round 25 match on Friday night.