Clermont lock Jamie Cudmore could soon be crowned Canadian rugby's second Heineken Cup winner should the French outfit triumph on May 19.
The 33-year-old lock, who has been les Jaunards' enforcer over recent years, already has an Amlin Challenge Cup winners medal in his cabinet.
That silverware came in 2007 but now the Top 14 club are preparing for their first appearance in the Heineken Cup semi-finals, against Leinster.
The clash at Stade Chaban-Delmas in Bordeaux on Sunday promises to be a pulsating affair and out of 274 players who have been successful in the elite competition, there are 17 different nationalities represented. One of those is Canada when Winston Stanley won the title with Leicester back in 2001.
"It's huge for the club to be in the semi-finals but, as I've said to the other guys, we've got to stay humble because we're still a long, long way from our goal. We realise there is a lot more work to do," Cudmore told ercrugby.com.
"Every year the Heineken Cup gets harder. We saw the PRO12, English and French champions all beaten in the quarter-finals and I think we've shaken up the status quo a bit. We've all got the same thing in mind, but let's hope we can get to the final.
"We need to beat the current champions and so it is good to have a bit of inside knowledge coming from Nathan Hines. That always helps, as does knowing Joe Schmidt a little bit, although I'm sure Leinster will be ready for us as well."
Comments
Bones7 says...
I like Jamie Cudmore, the game needs some characters like that and the way he smashes about on the right side of the law is always fun to watch. Nathan Hines giving out inside information however I'm not too sure on, maybe a little bit unsporting and ungentlemanly, although I'd be doing the same in his situation
Posted 15:53 29th April 2012
blametheref says...
...and there's no doubt Brad Thorn and Leo Cullen will wind him up...we're going to see so many "innocent" forwards out there on Sunday
Posted 09:03 25th April 2012
pierredelot1 says...
Gawd help us, of all the players to quote you manage to pick on the gentle giant from Canada. lets see if he can get through a match without accidentally landing a boot on someones head or getting into a philosphical discussion about the amount of energy expounded in the average fracas. I for one can hardly believe the guy is still playing after watching some of his antics in top end of season games in the Top 14. Clermont this season have finally learned how to play away from their domestic stronghold, but it has taken them some time, ut Bordeaux is at least friendly. Lets hope Cudmore leaves his mark in the right way for a change they have a good chance of pulling this off.
Posted 16:31 24th April 2012