The build-up to one of Europe’s greatest sporting weekends is almost complete as the clock ticks towards the Cardiff 2014 finals kick-off.

With a galaxy of international stars ready to take the stage at the atmospheric Millennium Stadium for tomorrow’s Heineken Cup decider between RC Toulon and Saracens, and at Cardiff Arms Park for this evening’s all-English Amlin Challenge Cup confrontation featuring Bath Rugby and Northampton Saints, fans from all over Europe are flocking into the Welsh capital to savour a unique celebration of club rugby.

Both matches – which will feature players from as many as 15 nations including luminaries of the global game such as Jonny Wilkinson, George North, Matt Giteau, Schalk Brits and Bryan Habana – will be broadcast in more than 150 countries worldwide.

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Reigning champions, RC Toulon, could become the third club after Leicester Tigers (2001 and 2002) and Leinster Rugby (2011 and 2012) to retain the Heineken Cup, while the brilliant Habana could go into the record books as the fourth player in history to complete the treble of Rugby World Cup, Heineken Cup and Super Rugby titles.

Saracens, meanwhile, are appearing in a first European final and will be looking to become the first English club to lift the coveted trophy since London Wasps triumphed in 2007.

The stakes are also high for the Amlin Challenge Cup clubs who will contest a first major rugby final on an artificial pitch. Bath and Saints are each focused on clinching a third European title at the Arms Park tonight, with both in line for a second Challenge Cup success.

ERC has entered into a partnership with Cardiff City Council to create a European Champions Village fan experience outside Cardiff Castle. With Duke Street pedestrianised tomorrow for the Heineken Cup final, the Champions Village will be open from midday and will offer a perfect opportunity for locals to savour the unique atmosphere of a major European rugby occasion.

The Village will be the focal point for a gathering of fans, both local and overseas with live music, interactive games, a Heineken Cup trophy photo booth, a big screen, Heineken bars and local cuisine as well as special guests from the world of rugby.

Friday 23 May:
Amlin Challenge Cup final
Bath vs Northampton Saints
(Cardiff Arms Park 20:00 BST, 21:00 SA Time)

Saturday 24 May:
European Champions Village
(Duke Street from 12:00 BST, 13:00 SA Time)

Notes

• Players from 15 countries are included in the Heineken Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup finalists squads: Argentina, Australia, England, Fiji, France, Ireland, Italy, Georgia, Namibia, New Zealand, Samoa, Scotland, South Africa, USA, Wales.
• RC Toulon have five World Cup winners in their squad: Jonny Wilkinson (England 2003), Bakkies Botha, Danie Rossouw and Bryan Habana (all South Africa 2007) and Ali Williams (New Zealand 2011).
• The first two Heineken Cup finals in 1996 and 1997 were played in the Welsh capital with both matches staged at Cardiff Arms Park.
• Bryan Habana could become the fourth player in history to win the treble of World Cup, Heineken Cup and Super Rugby titles. The other three are: Brad Thorn (New Zealand, Leinster Rugby, Crusaders), Bakkies Botha (South Africa, RC Toulon, Bulls) and Danie Rossouw (South Africa, RC Toulon, Bulls).
• 2014 will be the fifth staging of the Heineken Cup final at the Millennium Stadium. The four previous finals were: 2011 Leinster Rugby v Northampton Saints, 2008 Munster Rugby v Toulouse, 2006 Munster Rugby v Biarritz Olympique, 2002 Leicester Tigers v Munster Rugby.
• A major rugby final will be played on an artificial pitch for the first time when the Cardiff Arms Park hosts the Amlin Challenge Cup final.
• A total of 1.68 million spectators have attended the 18 Heineken Cup finals to date.
• Heineken Cup matches have been played in 10 countries including Spain, Belgium and Switzerland, and test players from as many as 21 nations were included in this season’s club squads.

Teams

Amlin Challenge Cup Final:

(Cardiff Arms Park, Friday 23 May. Kick-Off: 20:00 BST, 21:00 SA Time)

Bath: 15. Abendanon; 14. Rokoduguni, 13. Joseph, 12. Devoto, 11. Watson; 10. Ford, 9. Young; 1. James, 2. Dunn, 3. Wilson, 4. Hooper (Captain), 5. Attwood, 6. Fearns, 7. Louw, 8. Houston.
Replacements: 16. Guinazu, 17. Catt, 18. Perenise, 19. Day, 20. Mercer, 21. Stringer, 22. Henson, 23. Agulla.

Northampton Saints: 15. Foden; 14. K Pisi, 13. G Pisi, 12. Burrell, 11. North; 10. Myler, 9. Dickson; 1. Corbisiero, 2. Haywood, 3. Mercey, 4. Manoa, 5. Lawes, 6. Clark, 7. Wood (Captain), 8. Dickinson.
Replacements: 16. McMillan, 17. Waller, 18. Denman, 19. Day, 20. Dowson, 21. Fotuali’i, 22. Wilson, 23. Stephenson.

Referee: Jerome Garces (France)

Heineken Cup Final:

(Millenium Stadium, Saturday 24 May. Kick off: 17:00 BST, 19:00 SA Time)

Saracens: 15 Alex Goode, 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Marcelo Bosch, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 David Strettle, 10 Owen Farrell, 9 Richard Wigglesworth, 8 Billy Vunipola, 7 Jacques Burger, 6 Kelly Brown, 5 Alistair Hargreaves, 4 Steve Borthwick (captain), 3 Matt Stevens, 2 Schalk Brits, 1 Mako Vunipola.

Toulon: 15 Delon Armitage, 14 Drew Mitchell, 13 Mathieu Bastareaud, 12 Matt Giteau, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Jonny Wilkinson (captain), 9 Sebastien Tillous Borde, 8 Steffon Armitage, 7 Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, 6 Juan Smith, 5 Danie Rossouw, 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 Carl Hayman, 2 Craig Burden, 1 Xavier Chiocci.