Scarlets’ lionhearts stir the soul, the group of death lives up to its billing and Saracens’ demolition of Northampton leaves Franklin’s Gardens stunnedIt is clear the force is not with a side when they become news, intentionally or not, for the “unfair”. Wasps did not appreciate their five-day turnaround for a date at Ulster. This would have been less newsworthy had they not been labouring under a horrible injury list, which was promptly extended by three more during the first half. Ulster’s subsequent 19-9 win felt as if it had been coming all week. All of which places great moment on their home encounter with Harlequins next weekend. Quins have already won in Coventry this season and they are going...
Saracens are still strong, Exeter can shine, La Rochelle to shock, and look out for a Pro14 revival and Steff Evans to make his nameRobert Kitson It is hardly original to single out Clermont Auvergne but Les Jaunards will surely conquer Europe eventually. It may just be that having the defending champions Saracens in their pool proves a blessing in disguise. The knockout stage nerves that have undone them in the past will not be a factor. Related: European Rugby Champions Cup 2017-18: pool-by-pool guide | Gerard Meagher Related: Saracens again lead English into Europe but Scarlets could lift Welsh | Robert Kitson Continue reading...
If they claim a Champions Cup hat-trick then Saracens will be among the greatest club sides ever but, as the campaign starts, Scarlets could also prove dangerousThere is a fresh feel to this year’s European Champions Cup as the continent’s gladiators strap on their body armour. First and foremost, the final will be staged in Spain next May, with Bilbao’s San Mamés stadium and Guggenheim museum promising a very different cultural experience. And why not? Endlessly doing the same old things is not the way ahead for an ambitious professional sport.From the Basque country to Bath, this is a campaign full of other enticing possibilities. Not so long ago it was widely felt that digging in for the odd losing...
Semi Radradra and Josua Tuisova at Toulon, Clermont’s Alivereti Raka and Levani Botia of La Rochelle are among an exhilarating cast set to take centre stageWith the 2017‑18 European rugby season about to start, here is one for you: how many of France’s formidably wealthy, massively well-stocked clubs have lifted the continent’s grandest prize this century? The answer, remarkably, is just two: Toulouse and Toulon. The heavy mob of Clermont Auvergne, Racing 92, Montpellier and co are all still waiting to crack the code.Even a side like Castres, who consistently punch above their weight in the Top 14, contrive to underperform year in year out in Europe, reaching the knockout stages once in 13 attempts and failing to win any...
Sarries, who are chasing a third successive European title, know the value of a fast start and it has not been lost on the Premiership champions, the ChiefsThere is no debate over Europe in rugby union. Everyone wants to be in and for the British teams who fail to make the quarter-finals of the Champions Cup, the tournament will end in Brexit tears. The debate over exit strategies will revolve around how to get out of trouble against Saracens, who are aiming to emulate Toulon by winning the tournament for a third successive season. Mark McCall’s side start next Sunday against Northampton at Franklin’s Gardens, a ground where they have not lost in the Premiership since 2013, and they will...