Rare English double in Europe would be massive boost for Premiership

Northampton and Bath have a chance to restore English rugby to its pedestal, but French foes will have other ideas

General view of the stadium during the Premiership Rugby match at the cinch Stadium at Franklin's Gardens, Northampton. Pic: Joe Giddens/PA Wire.

It has not happened very often. Just once in the past 20 years, to be precise. Winning a single trophy is hard enough but English clubs hoisting aloft both the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup in the same season would be a proper rarity.

Other than the Covid-afflicted year of 2020 when Exeter Chiefs and Bristol Bears prevailed in mostly empty stadiums, the last time there was a Premiership double was in May 2004.