Champions Cup: will French clubs continue their domination of the competition?

If any side needs a European boost, it’s Ronan O’Gara’s La Rochell who lie sixth domestically.

EARLY BATH: Ronan O'Gara brings this La Rochelle side to The Rec for their first European outing. 

In nOctober 2020, English Premiership side Exeter Chiefs beat the Top 14’s Racing 92 at a covid-silenced Ashton Gate to claim the previous season’s delayed Champions Cup.

It was the last year a side outside the French top flight won the competition. Saracens’ victory over Leinster a year earlier was the most recent final not involving a French side. The Top 14 has provided at least one team in 11 of the 12 showpiece matches dating back to the first of Toulon’s hat-trick of wins in 2013, and in 22 of all 29 finals to date.