One of the criticisms of the modern Champions Cup is that the exhilaration of the knockout stages is less widespread in the earlier rounds. Even the organisers seem to be keen to improve the ratio, with the heavyweight duo of La Rochelle and Leinster poised to collide on this season’s opening weekend. The two sides who have contested both the last two finals are also now being asked to set the early pace.
It is sending an unsubtle message to the rest of the field. What was once the Heineken Cup – now recast under the banner of Investec – becomes a less attractive proposition if just two or three sides are capable of winning it. France have also claimed the last three titles in a row, with La Rochelle’s back-to-back titles preceded by Toulouse’s victory over the same opponents.
