Champions Cup: Top 14 giants reaping rewards of 'Made in France' shift

French rugby has been seriously reconsidering its place as a Land of Milk and Honey for overseas players for some time. The Galactico days are long over.

La Rochelle's Ihaia West and Uini Atonio: Part of the French side's enjoying success in the Champions Cup this season. Picture: INPHO/Tommy Dickson

Early in the last decade, one British newspaper declared European rugby's immediate future would be dominated by mega-rich Top 14 clubs. It was wrong.

Fears the PRO14 and English Premiership would not be able to keep pace with the galaxy of TV rights-funded star-studded sides from France were premature.