The more we talk about it, the trend looks more and more like an observation. And the results of these first two Champions Cup weekends only reinforce this impression which has hovered over France and Europe in rugby, since post-Covid.
Beyond the 11/16 achieved by the French clubs in total, it is rather the 125 points scored by Stade Toulousain which, beyond enthusing any game lover, raise questions. In observer's memory, never has a club entered in the Champions Cup started the competition so strongly. And this, just a few months after winning the previous edition, we remind you.
VIDEO. 10 tries, 0 pity, Stade Toulousain crushes Exeter in England
A Max Versptappen-style start, combined with a flawless performance from Stade Rochelais as well, which suggests that the Championship Cup once again has a strong chance of remaining in France in 2025. Cocorico.
For Boudjellal, only one solution
Since 2021, remember, the last 4 editions of the “CE” have been won by Toulouse or La Rochelle. Which, in view of the tricolor's fairly overwhelming domination, made Mourad Boudjellal say this last week for L'Equipe, with his sense of the formula: “Soon, the European Cup will be the French Cup.“
And the former president of the RCT, triple winner of the competition between 2013 and 2015, to give his only means to thwart French hegemony, and in particular Toulouse. “Nobody cares whether Stade Toulousain is stronger than 5th in the English championship, we already know that.“
For him, for European rugby to remain attractive, the solution lies in a Club World Cup. Where there would only be Leinster likely to cause problems for Dupont and his troops, but also potentially the Auckland Blues or the Waikato Chiefs. Even though the Crusaders are no longer what they were during the Scott Robertson era.
Why is the Stade Toulousain empire (almost) impossible to overthrow? Altrad's disillusioned observation
The first edition is planned for 2028, while waiting to know if this format could be repeated next. Time for us to respond to Mourad's latest tirade, by pointing out that Exeter, swept aside 21 to 64 on home soil by Toulouse this Sunday, was not 5th in the Premiership but dead last.
But let's also say it, not sure that the “big names” from across the Channel, Bath, Bristol or Northampton, would have done much better…
