English clubs upsetting European rugby calculations

Remind Leo Cullen he played in the last European final won by an English team, when the then London Wasps saw off Leicester Tigers in 2007, and he will be quick to point out he wasn’t part of the squad that won it.

That’s true, but it is a titbit that paints perfectly how the Premiership has lost its grip on the continental championship. That Wasps success eight years ago followed on from the five wins claimed for Albion in the seven seasons between 1998 and 2004.

Since then, they have come close, losing four finals, but not close enough with the Irish provinces assuming their mantle for half a decade or so until the emergence of the French superpower era spearheaded by Toulon’s capture of three successive titles.