Penalty shoot-outs are something we readily associate with our cousins in football, but it is rarely needed as a means to separate teams in Rugby and it’ frequency is extremely rare.

The most famous penalty shoot out in Rugby history was the 2009 Heineken Cup semi final shoot-out between Cardiff and Leicester at the Millennium Stadium.

Extremely entertaining for the neutrals eyes, the shoot-out was surreal as forwards were called upon to take kicks with Martyn Williams, cruelly, missing the decisive kick to send the team he served so well for so many years, Cardiff, crashing out and helped Leicester advance to the final in Murrayfield, where they were eventually beaten by Leinster.

Youtube Credit: rallyfreakwrc

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For years, we were provided with drama and excitement that will live long in the memory.

With one strike of the ball, Ronan O’Gara encapsulated the drama on the Heineken Cup.

Deep into injury time, with Munster staring down the barrel of only their ever second ever home defeat in the competition, the Thomond Park side, through Ronan O’Gara’s drop goal, snatched victory from the jaws of defeat and broke the hearts of Northampton.

Credit, naturally, will go to Munster for their discipline and desire to pull the game from the fire, but one shouldn’t forget Northampton’s performance during the game, which was tremendous, in all facets.

If the Rugby Champions Cup is half as good as the Heineken Cup, then we’re in for a treat.

Youtube Credit: VicMackey0

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Ngwenya shows his lightning pace

A magnificent virtuoso try in the RWC2007 that even left the great Bryan Habana tackling dust catapulted Zee Ngwenya into world Rugby prominence and the Zimbabwean born USA international has built a career such breathtaking moments of pace.

Another famous example of Ngwenya’s elusive pace and direct running was in the 2010 Heineken Cup Quarter Final against Welsh side, Ospreys.

After a botched scrum attempt by the Ospreys, Biarritz turned the ball over and fed Ngwenya who evaded the attention of, amongst others, Shane Williams to go the length of the pitch to score one of the Heineken Cups’ most famous tries.

Youtube Credit: YOANBTZ64

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Tony Buckley, freakishly strong

In a show of Herculean, almost nonchalant strength Tony Buckley clears a ruck in the most epic of fashions during Munster’s 2010 Heineken Cup Semi Final defeat to Biarritz.

Arnaud Mignardi, who weighs in at over thirteen stone, was picked up like a rag doll by the Cork born giant and discarded casually like a chewing gum wrapper.

Eventually, Munster would go on to lose the Semi Final, but Tony Buckley will be able to dine out on this moment of freakish strength for years to come.

Youtube Credit: TackleXV

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Let’s take a moment to reflect on the season that’s been.

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Fresh off the back of their consecutive Heineken Cup success, Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal looks to strengthen even more.

Much has been said about Toulon & other french teams in their signing of international superstars in the past few seasons. It has led to the creation of power houses in the European game but not every rugby fan agrees with these policies.

Boudjellal has said he wants to sign the 4 best players in the world when he was interviewed by Eurosport at the weeekend.

In a year, I will try to do the biggest thing I’ve ever done [in the transfer market]. I have an idea in my head, a crazy idea; I will try to make it happen. There are Quatre Fantastiques in the rugby world, I truly want to do that Grand Slam.”

With Toulon already confirming the signings of stars such a Leigh Halfpenny & James O’Connor to name a few, one wonders do Toulon really need more international stars?

He refused to confirm which players he has on his wish-list, but Toulon will be ready to pounce for the usual transfer frenzy after a Rugby World Cup in 2015. Here we take a look at some of the rumoured targets that could be part of the ‘Fantastic Four’.

So here’s our question to you, who would your fantastic four be if you were in Boudjellal’s shoes?

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