An irresistible force faces an immovable object and the winner will be Europe’s most remarkable champions, bar noneWidespread agreement is rare in rugby but this week is an exception. The two best, most consistent teams in Europe are contesting this year’s Champions Cup final, the only question being who will emerge as first among equals? The collision between the remorseless muscle men of Saracens and the rock-hard sons of Leinster pits an irresistible force against an immovable object. Related: James Haskell calls time on stellar career with regrets and a warning Related: Jamie George: ‘Saracens are going somewhere no club has been before in Europe’ Twitter: follow us at @guardian_sport Continue reading...
Leinster – and the fast-rising Scottish sides – are packed full of internationals while Test players are spread more thinly across their Premiership and Top 14 rivalsThe Premiership goes into the final round of the European Champions Cup group stage this weekend hunting a first victory over an Irish province in this season’s tournament. Its clubs have three opportunities: Ulster travel to Leicester, Leinster are away to Wasps and, in the one contest that has an outcome for both teams, Exeter have to become the fourth team to topple Munster at Thomond Park in the competition.The Chiefs’ task is even more demanding because of the bonus point Munster secured at Gloucester last Friday. It means Exeter not only have to...
Saracens regained their place as England’s leading club but Australia and Leicester will be glad to see the back of this yearThis was the year of the Irish, if not London Irish, who plunged back into the Championship at the first attempt. Ireland won the grand slam and beat New Zealand at home for the first time and Leinster secured the Pro14 and European Champions Cup double.Ireland were named team of the year at World Rugby’s awards bash last month and Joe Schmidt and Johnny Sexton won the coach and player categories. It was the cleanest of sweeps and the question to be answered is whether it came a year too early. Related: Jimmy Peters: race pioneer of English rugby...
Gloucester dogged by inconsistency, Edinburgh and Glasgow head for the last eight and Leinster have look of championsThe pool of champions has polarised. Leinster, for all Toulouse’s attempts to recapture past glories, are the team in control, even if they trail the French club by two points. Their victory over Bath was imperious, and Toulouse, who rode their luck anyway in round one in Bath, must travel to Dublin next. Leinster’s trip to Wasps in the final round does not look the challenge it might once have been. For two of England’s greatest clubs to be mathematically out of it after only four rounds is a sobering reflection on the Premiership, which looks worryingly short of the sort of teams...
Munster set the early pace after a standout performance from JJ Hanrahan while Saracens look in ominous formThe two most successful sides in the tournament’s history are in charge of the pool. Much is made of the regular rest given to Ireland’s leading players but it seemed to contribute to Leinster’s slow start at a pumped-up Bath. Outmanoeuvred at the breakdown and with Johnny Sexton having no time, the holders still found a way to win. Bath need to repeat Northampton’s 2013 feat against Leinster when they followed a home defeat with an away victory to remain alive but Wasps are on their way out after defeat by Toulouse. Like Bath, they have one win since September and the looming...