As they prepare to head into the lion’s den against title holders Toulon on Sunday afternoon, Jonathan Sexton believes that Leinster need to attack the strengths of the Top 14 giants in their latest European Rugby Champions Cup fixture.

The Hobbit star Richard Armitage is in Hannibal season 3 as the killer from the original books - with a familiar tattoo

A last-minute World Cup return by Steffon Armitage would have been “disruptive” for England, according to Jonny Wilkinson.

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Toulon made rugby union history at Twickenham as they clinched a hat-trick of European titles by defeating fellow French heavyweights Clermont Auvergne 24-18 in the Champions Cup final.

The denouement of the maiden European Champions Cup has arrived and for the third year in succession, there is no Irish interest in the final of the continent’s showpiece competition.

Leinster will be burdened by massive regrets this week as they somehow attempt to patch themselves up for an unforgiving five-day turnaround with the season-defining outing against Ulster in Belfast on Friday night.

With their Champions Cup semi-final against Toulon now just six days away, anticipation is building around the Leinster camp as they bid to reach their fourth top-tier European decider in just seven seasons.

Steffon Armitage scored a hat-trick as Toulon secured top spot in Champions Cup Pool 3 with a game to spare thanks to a 60-22 bonus-point win over Ulster.

Toulon full-back Delon Armitage has had his 12-week ban for using abusive language reduced to eight on appeal.

Toulon full-back Delon Armitage must wait until today to find out the outcome of his appeal against the 12-week ban issued for using abusive language after his hearing was adjourned.

Toulon’s Delon Armitage has appealed against a 12-week ban for abusive language directed at Leicester Tigers supporters after a European Rugby Champions Cup match on December 7, European Professional Cup Rugby has announced.

England international Delon Armitage has been described as "an habitual offender" with "an appalling disciplinary record" in the written judgement of his latest appearance before rugby union disciplinary chiefs.

Hobbit stars past and present were reunited on the green carpet for the world premiere of the final film, The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies.

Ulster 13 Toulon 23

Toulon made it two wins from two with an impressive 23-13 victory at the Kingspan Stadium on Saturday afternoon but defeat left Ulster’s bid to make the last eight looking effectively over.

Dublin Writers Festival hit the right note with an engaging programme, says Orlagh Ní Arrachtain.

Munster legend Ronan O’Gara has labelled the ERC’s decision to play a Heineken Cup semi-final in an unfinished stadium as a “disgrace”.

Paul O’Connell has warned that the current Toulon squad are much better than the side that hammered Munster in 2011.

It is difficult not to feel a huge degree of sympathy for Clermont Auvergne after what proved a disappointing Heineken Cup final at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

Toulon full-back Delon Armitage has been slammed by former and current players for his behaviour during Saturday’s Heineken Cup final win over Clermont.

Clermont Auvergne 15 Toulon 16

Bernard Laporte watched his Toulon side humiliate Sale Sharks 62-0 — but admitted he was equally blown away by Clermont Auvergne’s showing in Dublin.

There is a moment early in 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey' when Gandalf The Grey (Ian McKellen) turns to diminutive hero Bilbo Baggins (Freeman) and counsels: “All good stories deserve embellishment.”

Toulon 37 Montpellier 16

England flanker Steffon Armitage has had his temporary suspension lifted ahead of his anti-doping commission hearing later this month.

Steffon Armitage and Toulon are confident the flanker will clear his name after a doping test returned an “abnormal” result.

Toulon flanker Steffon Armitage has produced an "abnormal" doping test result, but his club insist that he has not taken a banned substance.

New Zealander Brad Thorn could create rugby history in tomorrow’s Heineken Cup final between Leinster and Ulster at Twickenham.

Delon Armitage’s future as an international rugby player appeared to be hanging in the balance last night.

London Irish and England full back Delon Armitage has been suspended by the RFU after being arrested in connection with an alleged assault in a nightclub.

Delon Armitage has been banned from England’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final against France.

FURIOUS and frustrated in equal measure, Martin Johnson has been forced to reprimand three players as he battles to keep England’s Rugby World Cup campaign on course.

Delon Armitage’s Rugby World Cup future is in doubt after he was cited for a “dangerous high tackle” on Scotland’s Chris Paterson.

England 16 Scotland 12

Delon Armitage will start on the left wing for England in place of Mark Cueto in Saturday’s decisive Rugby World Cup Pool B showdown with Scotland.

ANGRY Martin Johnson blasted England for being “sloppy” and warned they will be dumped out of the Rugby World Cup early unless there is an immediate improvement.

England 41 Georgia 10

Argentina 9 England 13

Mark Cueto is a doubt for England’s opening Rugby World Cup match against Argentina in Dunedin on Saturday.

Ireland 9 England 20

Ireland 9 England 20

England full-back Delon Armitage will have his appeal against an eight-week ban heard in London on February 10.

ENGLAND international Delon Armitage will miss virtually the entire RBS 6 Nations after receiving an eight-week ban for conduct prejudicial to the interests of the game.