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These are your latest rugby headlines on Saturday, May 23.
Beard’s Montpellier triumphs in Euro cup win
Adam Beard celebrated European silverware on Friday night after helping Montpellier Hérault Rugby demolish Ulster to win the Challenge Cup final in Bilbao.
The Wales lock played a key role as Montpellier overpowered the Irish province 59-26 at San Mamés Stadium, running in nine tries in a one-sided final to claim the trophy for the third time in 11 seasons.
Former England star Billy Vunipola was among the standout performers for the French side, scoring one of the tries in a dominant display as Ulster wilted in the humid conditions.
Montpellier, currently second in the Top 14 table, proved too powerful throughout, with wing Donovan Taofifénua scoring twice as the French club pulled away emphatically in the second half.
For Beard, it marked a major moment in his first season in France following his move from Ospreys last summer.
Speaking after lifting the trophy, the 53-cap Wales international admitted emotions had boiled over after an impressive European campaign.
“Unbelievable. We have been on an unbelievable run,” Beard told Premier Sports.
“We said at the start of the season we wanted to go far in this competition and we just kept winning and kept getting better and put in a fine performance in the final.”
The 30-year-old also praised the collective spirit that has developed within the Montpellier squad since his arrival.
“We pride ourselves on being an all-round team — I apologise for my voice, I’ve lost it a bit! — set piece, attack, defence, our work off the ball, it happened for us tonight,” he said.
“Coming in for my first season, all the coaching staff played for Montpellier, there’s a lot of passion for Montpellier, there’s a lot of young boys who have come through the system and everyone has just bought into the plan.”
Montpellier’s European triumph comes at the end of a difficult domestic season for Welsh rugby, with Beard one of a growing number of top Wales internationals now plying their trade abroad.
But the second row insisted there is little time for celebrations with Montpellier still chasing Top 14 success.
“We’ll enjoy tonight! Have a few beers, but we’ve got two more important games in the Top 14 and we want to push on in that as well.”
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‘Urgent’ warning issued ahead of top match
An extreme heat warning has been issued ahead of this afternoon’s Champions Cup final between Leinster and Bordeaux in Bilbao, with health services said to be “on alert” after a dramatic swing in the weather.
Temperatures in the city hit 38 degrees Celsius on Friday afternoon and settled at around 30 degrees at the San Mamés Stadium at 8pm as Ulster and Montpellier battled it out in the final of the Challenge Cup.
Now, it is expected to be sweltering again as the second European final of the weekend gets underway at 2.45pm. Win free tickets to watch Fiji v Wales in Cardiff this summer.
Temperature is set to exceed the 30 degree mark, with a real feel of around 34 degrees celsius expected around kick-off time.
A huge thermal swing has seen temperatures skyrocket in Spain in recent days, with midday temperatures in Bilbao as low as 16 degrees celsius last week.
The Spanish state meteorological agency, Aemet, has issued an urgent warning of extreme heat for the whole country, with fans travelling to the match being advised to exercise caution if outside for long periods of time.
According to Spanish media, the dramatic swing in temperatures has also “put health services on alert for heat-related complications” this weekend.
Halfpenny blown away
Wales legend Leigh Halfpenny says he was “blown away” as a remarkable moment unfolded around him on his farewell to Cardiff Arms Park last week.
The veteran full-back – who is retiring from rugby at the end of the season – was brought on to the field to a standing ovation in the final few minutes of his side’s stunning 22-16 win over the Stormers as they sealed a place in the URC play-offs, while he was mobbed by supporters after the final whistle sounded.
Team-mates and supporters hugged, kissed and congratulated Halfpenny on a remarkable career and he was emotional as he struggled to find the words to sum up what it all meant in a post-match interview.
A week on from that remarkable farewell, the Wales centurion has thanked fans for their outpouring of love and support and admits it was a night he “will never forget”.
Reflecting on his final home match in an interview with Cardiff, he said: “It was an absolutely incredible night, really special. Going into that game, obviously knowing what was on the line, the boys were absolutely outstanding.
“Making the play-offs was amazing and the atmosphere that night was unbelievable. The fans were just incredible. To come off the bench and play here again at the Arms Park, the reception I had… I was blown away to be honest.
“I’m just so thankful to the Cardiff fans for all of the support they’ve given me throughout my whole time here,” Halfpenny added. “It was amazing to have all my friends and family here, it was really special the effort they made to come and see me play.
“The support that my friends and family have given me throughout my career, they’ve been there every step of the way and I’m just so grateful. To share that moment on the field with them and to have my wife Jess and two daughters, Lily and Nora there was just amazing. It was a night I’ll never forget.
“I’ve got so many incredible memories looking back, so I’m just so thankful.”
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