Congratulations to Munster Rugby - winners of the Heineken European Rugby Cup 2006. Munster beat Biarritz 23-19 on Saturday.

A capacity crowd of 75,000 saw the Irish team lift the Cup at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium.

After a dubious opening try from Biarritz, Munster began to take command with an opening try from Trevor Halstead, a fantastic (and cheeky) try from Scrum-Half Peter Stringer and target kicking from Ronan O’Gara. Munster went into half time leading 17-10 and maintained the lead throughout the game. The exhilarating match finished nervously but Munster were the deserved winners on the day.

Elsewhere today at Twickenham’s Stoop Stadium, London Irish took on Gloucester for the European Challenge Cup. After a close fought 80-minutes, the match went to extra time when the score stood at 31-31 after regulation time. After a disappointing extra-time for the Exiles, the Cherry and Whites won 36-34. The score could have been so much different but pressure seemed to take its toll on Irish kicker Barry Everitt and Gloucester were the victors with a late try.