Rugby’s glamour competition risks becoming as repetitive as La Liga, meaning quality and drama feel like a must this year
Increasingly it feels as if European club rugby is turning into La Liga. In the ever-familiar world of Spanish football the domestic title has been won for 13 of the past 14 years by either Barcelona or Real Madrid, with only Atlético Madrid briefly interrupting the established hegemony. This year’s Champions Cup has a similar vibe before a ball is passed or kicked.
Since 2011 just three teams have won Europe’s elite club trophy – Leinster, Toulon and Saracens. Substitute a fading Toulon for their French rival Racing 92, the most extravagantly backed French side in this year’s tournament, and you have the three main candidates for this season’s podium. As far as rugby is concerned, Europe is a shrinking concept regardless of Theresa May’s next move.
Written by Robert Kitson
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/oct/10/saracens-leinster-champions-cup-la-liga under the title “Saracens and Leinster shoulder burden of Champions Cup’s pan-European dream | Robert Kitson”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
