Nice try: Patricio Albacete powers over for Stade Toulousain's second try against Stade Francais Photo: Colin Spiro

Stade Toulousain 42 (13)
Stade Francais 16 (10)

European specialists Stade Toulousain are just one game away from a record sixth Heineken Cup final after trouncing arch rivals Stade Francais 42-16 on a sun-kissed afternoon in south west France.

The Parisians held on for an hour, even having the temerity to open the scoring through Rodrigo Roncero?s 19^th-minute try, but Toulouse finally broke their defensive shackles as they cut loose in the closing quarter.

Man-of-the-match Yannick Jauzion scored a crucial try to edge them ahead just before half-time, while later scores from Patricio Albacete and Cedric Heymans added the flourish after Guy Noves? team rolled out their sublime champagne rugby in the second period.

Key player: Stade Toulousain's Byron Kelleher Photo: Michael Paler

Stade Toulousain scrum-half Byron Kelleher has promised a re-run of his infamous bus-top Haka should his team go all the way and win this season?s Heineken Cup.

The former All Black scrum-half marked the culmination of a superb debut season in 2007/8 by giving club supporters a half-naked demonstration of the famous Maori welcome while Stade Toulousain toured the city with the Brennus Bouclier ? the Top 14 trophy.

It was a memorable highlight in a season jam-packed with peaks ? Kelleher was also voted Top 14?s Player of the Year ? but there was also one notable low point as Stade lost the final of the Heineken Cup to Munster.

Danger man: Shane Williams Photo: Michael Paler

Biarritz will be facing a star-studded Ospreys side when they take on the Welsh province at a sold out Estadio Anoeta in San Sebastian, Spain, on Saturday afternoon.

Welsh wing wizard Shane Williams has recovered from his shoulder injury to claim a staring place, while lock Alun Wyn Jones also returns alongside hooker Huw Bennett.

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Biarritz coach Jack Isaacs singled out Williams as a potential match-winner for the Welsh, admitting that the 33-year-old ?is capable of making the difference?.

Williams recently scored his 50^th try for Wales during the Six Nations and Isaacs was full of praise for the former IRB Player of the Year.

The Heineken Cup Photo: Michael Paler

Top 14 leaders Clermont Auvergne sealed their Heineken Cup quarter-final berth in style, running in nine tries tries away to Viadana as they overwhelmed the Italian side.

Clermont went into the match knowing a bonus-point win would be enough to guarantee their progress from Pool 3, and they achieved that five minutes before half-time when skipper Aurélien Rougerie touched down for their fourth try of a dominant opening period.

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The score was Rougerie's second of the half, adding to those by Fijian winger Napolioni Nalaga and French scrum-half Morgan Parra.

Parra was first over the line, touching down after just two minutes as 'Les Jaunards' got off to the perfect start. It remained largely one-way traffic thereafter, with the French side in total control as they continued their excellent recent form.

The Heineken Cup Photo: Michael Paler

Top 14 leaders Clermont Auvergne sealed their Heineken Cup quarter-final berth in style, running in nine tries tries away to Viadana as they overwhelmed the Italian side.

Clermont went into the match knowing a bonus-point win would be enough to guarantee their progress from Pool 3, and they achieved that five minutes before half-time when skipper Aurélien Rougerie touched down for their fourth try of a dominant opening period.

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The score was Rougerie's second of the half, adding to those by Fijian winger Napolioni Nalaga and French scrum-half Morgan Parra.

Looking for a win: Shaun Perry Photo: Michael Paler

As one of only two teams yet to register a single point in this year?s Heineken Cup you might think that Brive had little to play for in Saturday?s final pool game, but that could not be further from the truth. Indeed, the fact Brive remain point-less is all the motivation the one-time European champions require.

Their home match against third-placed Scarlets in Pool 6 presents the Limousin club with the ideal opportunity to sign off with a win and send them into the remainder of the French domestic season in good spirits. It would also help continue to wash away the pain of a traumatic first half to the season that saw them dispense with veteran head coach Laurent Seigne as they dropped ever nearer the Top 14 relegation zone.

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The mere fact they were remotely close to the drop zone was an understandable source of deep inner unrest, and Seigne paid the inevitable price as lack of confidence fatally eroded the team?s well being.

Eye on the ball: Stade Toulousain's Byron Kelleher has targeted Heineken Cup success Photo: Michael Paler

Public humiliation is not to everyone's taste but the inner pain felt by French rugby 12 months ago has acted as a spur rather than a noose following the abject failure of its seven representatives in the 2008/9 Heineken Cup. Only Stade Toulousain made last season's quarter-finals, but even they were sent packing with their heads bowed after being out-fought and out-thought by Cardiff Blues in the last eight.

That left the semi-finals without a single representative from Top 14, and led to a period of national wailing that culminated in some serious summer recruitment and a re-think on how to approach this season's competition. The net result of that has been a greater emphasis on progressing in Europe's premier club competition, with the possible conclusion that France could provide four of the eight quarter-finalists this time around.

Try-scorer: Maxime Médard Photo: Michael Paler

Stade Toulousain ran in four tries to beat Harlequins 33-21 on Sunday afternoon to seal their place in the Heineken Cup quarter-finals.

The three-time champions now have an unassailable six-point lead in Pool 5, although they will still be keen to win away to Sale Sharks next weekend to secure a home berth.

Jean-Baptiste Elissalde opened the scoring with his 19th-minute penalty for the hosts, but the home side were given a scare when Harlequins full-back Mike Brown then followed in four minutes later for the game's first try.

Nick Evans added the conversion to put Harlequins 3-7 up, but Stade responded with two more Elissalde penalties before Florian Fritz touched down after an excellent intercept break from Cedric Heymans.

Saturday 16/01/10
Leicester Tigers v Viadana	Welford Road	Pool 3	14.00
Benetton Treviso v Munster	Stadio Comunale di Monigo	Pool 1	14.35
Stade Francais v Bath Rugby	Stade Jean Bouin	Pool 4	14.35
Gloucester Rugby v Biarritz Olympic	Kingsholm	Pool 2	15.00
Cardiff Blues v Sale Sharks	Cardiff City Stadium	Pool 5	15.45
Clermont Auvergne v Ospreys	Stade Marcel Michelin	Pool 3	16.45
Leinster v Brive	RDS	Pool 6	18.00
Sunday 17/01/10
Scarlets v London Irish	Parc y Scarlets	Pool 6	12.45
Northampton Saints v Perpignan	Franklin's Gardens	Pool 1	15.00
Stade Toulousain v Harlequins	Stade Ernest Wallon	Pool 5	16.00

It's crunch time in the Heineken Cup with the final two rounds of the pool stages starting tonight (Friday) as the race for quarter-final berths comes to a head.

Of the six French sides involved four have genuine aspirations to progress through to the last eight with Biarritz, Stade Francais and Stade Toulousain all leading their respective groups, while Top 14 leaders Clermont Auvergne are also handily placed. Only Brive and Perpignan are playing for pride as the jostling for European glory continues.

Star man: Lionel Beauxis Photo: Michael Paler

Stade Francais ended a frustrating week on a happy note with a comprehensive 29-16 home win against Ulster to put them back on track for a coveted quarter-final berth in the Heineken Cup.

The Paris side made light of a 24-hour postponement, venue switch and the furore surrounding Julien Dupuy's six-month ban to move four points clear at the head of Pool 4 after Sunday's win. Weekend winners Stade Toulousain and Biarritz also top their respective groups heading into the New Year, while Clermont Auvergne are well placed to make a late move in Pool 3 after gaining a crucial defensive point away to last year's runners-up Leicester Tigers.

The only disappointment for Stade owner Max Guazzini was that the match had to be moved from Brussels to Paris due to a frozen pitch, thus depriving Belgium the honour (temporarily at least) of becoming the 10th country to host a Heineken Cup match. Further opportunities will undoubtedly arise in the future, but the most important thing for Stade was to achieve the twin-goals of winning while also denying Ulster a defensive point.

Banned: Stade Francais  scrum-half Julien Dupuy Photo: Michael Paler

Stade Francais president Max Guazzini has labelled Julien Dupuy's six-month ban for eye-gouging as "excessive, very political and anti-French".

The flamboyant club owner hit out after the ERC disciplinary panel effectively ended Dupuy's season with the draconian ban. It is due to run until June 3rd, meaning the player - 26 today - will not be able to take any further part in Top 14 this season, and will also miss France's summer tour to the southern hemisphere.

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National coach Marc Lièvremont was also alarmed at the length of the ban, and urged Stade Francais to appeal to decision.

"We expected the worse and the worse thing has happened to Julien because six months is huge," said Lièvremont. "I hope there is an appeal and that the ban is replaced by something more reasonable," he added.

Banned for six months: Stade's Julien Dupuy Photo: Michael Paler

Stade Francais scrum-half Julien Dupuy has been banned from rugby for six months by the ERC after being found guilty of eye-gouging Stephen Ferris in last weekend's Heineken Cup defeat at Ulster.

The France international (26 tomorrow) will now miss the rest of the 2009/10 season, with his ban running until June 3 - a week after the play-off final for France's Top 14. Stade Francais now have 72 hours to appeal the decision.

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The draconian sentence is a massive blow to the player, who has only recently established himself as Marc Lièvremont's No 1 choice at scrum-half. The length of the ban means he will now be unavailable for France's summer tour to South Africa. It is also a major set-back for Stade, who will be without one of their star players for the business end of the season.

Euro glory: The Heineken Cup Photo: Michael Paler

With Christmas a mere week away it's time to find out which clubs will be turkeys in this season's Heineken Cup, and which ones have more than just an illusory sparkle.

Of France's six representatives only Brive go into this weekend's fixtures with pride alone to play for, although it remains to be seen how many of the other five can progress to the quarter-finals.

Biarritz are best placed with a nine point lead in Pool 2 as they head to Newport, while Stades Toulousain and Francais are also handily placed as they enter round four. The Paris club entertain Ulster this weekend looking to avenge last weekend's ill-tempered 23-13 defeat, and the game breaks new ground by being hosted at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels. Belgium thus becomes the 10th country to host a Heineken Cup match as Max Guazzini continues his inexorable enlarging of the Stade Francais franchise.

"Dumb and stupid": Julien Dupuy Photo: Michael Paler

Stade Francais duo Julien Dupuy and David Attoub have apologized to Ulster for their ?dumb and stupid? actions after both were cited for alleged eye-gouging in Saturday?s Heineken Cup clash.

Ulster beat the Paris side 23-13 and an ERC disciplinary panel is due to be held in Dublin today (Wednesday) to make a ruling on the players? actions ahead of the reverse fixture in Brussels this weekend. Dupuy and Attoub will also be hauled before Stade?s own internal hearing on Friday following the unsavoury incident which involved Ulster back-row Stephen Ferris.

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The French pair have already released a statement of their own via the Stade Francais website, while the club itself has apologised to Ulster.

Friday 11/12/09
Glasgow Warriors	33	Gloucester Rugby	11
Munster	24	Perpignan	23
Saturday 12/12/09
Ulster Rugby	23	Stade Francais	13
Viadana	7	Ospreys	62
Northampton Saints	30	Treviso	18
Cardiff Blues	15	Stade Toulousain	9
Scarlets	7	Leinster	32
Brive	3	London Irish	36
Sunday 13/12/09
Harlequins	19	Sale Sharks	29
Biarritz Olympique	49	NG Dragons	13
Bath Rugby	16	Edinburgh	9
Clermont Auvergne	40	Leicester Tigers	30

Biarritz finally put a smile on French rugby as they hammered Newport Gwent Dragons 49-13 to become the only side still boasting a 100% win record after three rounds of the Heineken Cup.

Euro glory: The Heineken Cup Photo: Michael Paler

Friday 11/12/09
Glasgow Warriors	33	Gloucester Rugby	11
Munster	24	Perpignan	23

French champions Perpignan outscored Munster by three tries to nil at Thomond Park, but still lost by a point as their ill-discipline allowed Ronan O'Gara to kick the Irish to victory.

The Catalans will be absolutely gutted not to have come away with the win, and how they will be sick of the sound of referee Wayne Barnes' whistle. Time after time they were penalized by the Englishman - at the breakdown, in the scrum, in open play... seemingly anywhere and everywhere - and O'Gara could even afford three misses in addition to his seven penalty successes (and a nifty left-footed drop-goal).

Feeling blue: Maxime Médard Photo: Michael Paler

An intoxicating pre-Christmas fortnight of Heineken Cup action begins on Friday night, and with France boasting three of the four teams still with 100% win records it is all set to be another fascinating two rounds of rugby. What makes these two rounds even more attractive is the fact they effectively become two-legged ties played over consecutive weekends.

The three Top 14 sides with as yet unblemished records are, unsurprisingly, the nation's traditional European powers in three-times champions Stade Toulousain, twice runners-up Stade Francais and one runners-up Biarritz. The Parisians could make it three wins from three when they take on Ulster in Ireland on Saturday, and Biarritz must be favourites for their home clash with the Dragons on Sunday.

For Stade Toulousain there is a far tougher assignment altogether, tinged with recent history too as they travel to Cardiff to take on the Blues in a re-match of last year's quarter-final. The Welsh side came out victorious that weekend, winning a try-less encounter 9-6, and there's no doubting that France's most successful club side will be out to make amends. But that quest has been complicated by an erratic season on the pitch so far, with Guy Noves' outfit having already lost six times on the road this campaign.

Match-winner: Ollie Phillips races in for the decisive try against Bath on Sunday Photo: Michael Paler

England sevens captain Ollie Phillips scored a late try as Stade Francais rallied from 24-12 to win 27-29 in Pool 4.

The former Newcastle winger beat Nick Abendanon on the outside in the 75th-minute as the Parisians capped an excellent fightback.

Scrum-half Julien Dupuy missed the ensuing conversion, leaving Stade still a point adrift, but then kicked his seventh successful penalty in the final minute as Bath paid the ultimate price for their ill-discipline.

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They must be sick of the sight of Dupuy as it was the international scrum-half who ended their Heineken Cup ambitions last season when he kicked former club Leicester Tigers to victory.

Today's defeat could have similar consequence with Bath now right up against it to try and qualify from Pool 2.

Digging deep: Stade Toulousain drew on their  European experience to beat Harlequins in Pool 5 Photo: Michael Paler

Three-time European champions Stade Toulousain fought from 0-14 down to win 23-19 at Harlequins, and continue their excellent start in Pool 5.

The French giants looked lethargic and strangely off the pace as they were continually hustled into errors by Quins in the opening period, with England winger Ugo Monye touching down for a try (on 28 minutes) and fly-half Nick Evans kicking three penalties.

Stade full-back Maxime Medard experienced a particularly torrid first half, but was integral to the visitors' recovery and played a key role in their first try, just four minutes after the restart. The young international got a favourable bounce from an up-field kick, paving the way for winger Yves Donguy to crash through for his third try of this year's tournament. Jean-Baptiste Elissalde kicked the extras, and was on target again just three minutes later after No 8 Shaun Sowerby piled over from th back of a ruck following yet more chaos from another high ball.

Euro glory: The Heineken Cup Photo: Michael Paler

Friday 16/10/09

Perpignan 29 Northampton Saints 13 (Pool 1)

Saturday 17/10/09

Biarritz v Gloucester (Pool 2)

Brive v Leinster (Pool 6)

Harlequins v Stade Toulousain (Pool 5)

Sunday 18/10/09

Ospreys v Clermont Auvergne (Pool 3)

Bath Rugby v Stade Francais (Pool 4)

French champions Perpignan began their Heineken Cup rescue mission with a 29-13 home win against Northampton Saints in Pool 1.

The Catalans have serious ground to make up after slumping to a shock 9-8 defeat in Italy last weekend, but at least got back to winning ways with Friday evening?s victory.

Full-back Jérôme Porical kicked 19 points to ensure the win, with Perpignan centre David Marty also grabbing a try (a minute before half-time) to add to the home side?s earlier penalty try (in the 17^th minute).

Euro glory: The Heineken Cup Photo: Michael Paler

The joy of sport is its never-ending propensity to surprise, and the opening round of the 2009/10 Heineken Cup proved no exception.

Holders Leinster kicked off the weekend with a shock 9-12 home reverse against London Irish in Pool 6, while French champions Perpignan were downed 9-8 by Italian minnows Benetton Treviso - who had lost their previous 10 home games in the competition.

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That last result apart - and we'll deal with that later - it was a decent opening round for French clubs with Stades Toulousain and Francais both opening with convincing home wins, while Clermont Auvergne did what was required against Viadana.

Biarritz's 22-18 away win at Glasgow Warriors also confirmed the Basques excellent current form, while Brive's 24-12 loss at Scarlets was to be expected too as the Limousin club continue to struggle.

"We want to win everything": Haskell Photo: Michael Paler

England and Stade Francais flanker James Haskell believes he is playing the best rugby of career following his summer over across the Channel.

The 24-year-old lost form, confidence and his England shirt during a troubled end to last season, but now appears reinvigorated after his transfer to the Paris giants.

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His form has been consistently good since the beginning of the season, even managing to shine while Stade experienced a troubled opening that eventually saw the sacking of coaches Ewen McKenzie and Christophe Dominici.

At that point Stade were, almost unbelievably, wallowing in the Top 14 relegation zone, but the appointment of Jacques Delmas and Didier Faugeron has had the desired effect with the club now in the midst of a five-match unbeaten run.

"I?ve got no doubts that I made the right decision": Biarritz winger Iain Balshaw Photo: Michael Paler

The Heineken Cup is without doubt Europe?s premier club competition, and for the ever-increasing numbers of ex-pat Brits in France it offers a welcome opportunity to parade their skills in a series of high-profile games.

For the likes of James Haskell, Tom Palmer (both Stade Francais), Jamie Noon and Steve Thompson (both Brive) it provides a superb window to showcase their talents to a Europe-wide audience ? which will no doubt include England?s selectors ? but for Biarritz?s Iain Balshaw all he can do is look on with envy, for the time being anyway.

The England World Cup winner is still only 30 and harbours genuine hopes of adding to his 35 international caps, but torn transverse abdominal muscles (picked up in the recent Basque derby against Bayonne) have ruled him out of both opening rounds. Even more agonizing for the multi-skilled runner is the fact Biarritz?s second game is at home to Gloucester on Saturday, the team he left in the summer as part of the ongoing British exodus to France.

Disciplinarian:  Byron Kelleher Photo: Michael Paler

Stade Toulousain?s three Heineken Cup triumphs marks them out as Europe?s most successful club team, so when star player Byron Kelleher admits they?ve altered their approach this season it?s wise for others to sit up and listen.

The French giants remain true to their attacking ethos ? as witnessed by Sunday?s five-try demolition of Sale Sharks ? but they?ve had a long hard think about where they came unstuck in the previous two campaigns as they lost to Munster (in the 2007/8 final) and Cardiff Blues (in the 2008/9 quarter-final).

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The latter loss was a particularly bitter pill to swallow, and prompted head coach Guy Noves to sit down with his star-studded squad and ask where it had all gone wrong.

Record breaker: Vincent Clerc Photo: Michael Paler

Stade Toulousain 36 (24) Sale Sharks 17 (3)

Three-time champions Stade Toulousain turned on the style as they ran in five tries to beat a weakened Sale Sharks 36-17 in their opening Pool 5 match.

The south-west giants may have struggled to find top gear so far in the league but Stade love the challenge of Europe?s premier club competition and sent a clear message of intent about their Heineken Cup aspirations.

Heineken Cup Pools & Fixtures

Last season?s disappointing quarter-final exit to Cardiff Blues cut deep, and Guy Noves' men started with rare intent as they sought to make amends in front of a 28,534-strong crowd ready to toast their heroes.

They scored three tries during a dominant first-half and could have added a hatful more had they not stepped off the gas once they had secured the bonus point in the opening minute after the break.

Euro glory: The Heineken Cup Photo: Michael Paler

Saturday 10/10/09

Benetton Treviso 9 Perpignan 8 (Pool 1)

Stade Francais 31 Edinburgh 7 (Pool 4)

Scarlets 24 Brive 12 (Pool 6)

Glasgow Warriors 18 Biarritz 22 (Pool 2)

Clermont Auvergne 36 Viadana 18 (Pool 3)

Sunday 11/10/09

Stade Toulousain v Sale Sharks (Pool 5)

French champions Perpignan slumped to a shock 9-8 defeat at Italian side Benetton Treviso in Pool 1, leaving their Heineken Cup ambitions in tatters after just one match.

The Catalans were expected to be easy winners, even tipped to collect an attacking bonus, but their slipshod handling continually undermined them in Italy.

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The French side entered the game having beaten Treviso six times over the previous three season, but it proved seventh time lucky for the unfancied Italians as a heroic second-half defensive display earned them a stunning win.

Up for the cup: Stade Toulousain's Patricio Albacete will be a key figure on Sunday Photo: Michael Paler

France?s Top 14 may have a reduced intake in this season?s Heineken Cup but that doesn?t mean there?s reduced ambition ? quite the opposite in fact. As if the lure of a showpiece final at the Stade de France wasn?t enough, there?s also the small matter of restored national and regional pride to play for.

A shocking 2008/9 campaign ? with no semi-finalists for only the second time ever - resulted in an unsightly mélange of navel gazing, finger wagging and superbly Gallic shoulder shrugging, but the upshot should be a more determined performance this time around.

Refreshing challenge: Stade's Ollie Phillips Photo: Michael Paler

Tipping Stade Francais for Heineken glory would have been considered laughable a mere month ago, but four weeks later and the Paris giants go into Saturday?s home clash with Edinburgh with genuine hopes of finally lifting Europe?s premier club trophy.

The transformation has been as startling as a 'Dieux de Stade' calendar, and England sevens captain Ollie Phillips is relishing the turnaround. When flamboyant president Max Guazzini finally called time on Ewen McKenzie?s reign Stade Francais were languishing in Top 14?s relegation zone on the back of just one win in their opening five games. Their defence was about as effective as a chocolate teapot and rumours of squad splits were rife.

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Yet here we are just four games later and Stade are now up into the play-off zone courtesy of three bonus-point home wins and a highly creditable 9-9 away draw at Stade Toulousain. The feel-good factor is back, thanks to the input of new coaching duo Jacques Delmas and Didier Faugeron, and optimism once more abounds.

Euro glory: The Heineken Cup Photo: Michael Paler

The 2009/10 Heineken Cup - or 'H-Cup' as it is called here - is just around the corner and last year?s doom and gloom has been usurped by quiet optimism in France, especially with the 15^th final due to be held at Paris? impressive Stade de France on May 22.

The inward soul-searching that followed a French shut out in the 2009 semi-finals ? for only the second time in the tournament?s history - was swept away by voracious player recruitment during the summer, and of the six Top 14 teams in this year?s entry five have legitimate ambitions to make the knock-out stages.

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Only Brive are openly stating they?re in this year?s tournament ?for the experience?, but the ambitious Limousin club have a long term plan to regain the European pedigree that saw them beat Leicester Tigers 28-9 in the 1997 final before losing narrowly to Bath 19-18 in the 1998 final. Indeed, Brive remain one of just two French clubs to have won Europe?s premier club competition ? along with Stade Toulousain ? and are still the only Top 14 side to have beaten non-French opposition the final.