Which sides would make a 12-team European rugby union Super League?
The sporting headlines this weekend have been dominated by a highly controversial bid to launch a twelve-team European Super League in football.
While not quite on the same scale, rugby has not been averse to introducing its own shake-ups to leagues and competitions over the years, although this is an avenue not yet explored.
But that does not mean such a Super League could not, theoretically at least, occur in the future. In the unlikely event of such a move, here are twelve teams that could make the league, taking into account their history as well as recent success.
DEFINITES
Toulouse
Arguably the giant of all giants in European rugby, there is no doubt Toulouse belong in this league. With four European titles (tied with Leinster) and a record 20 French titles, both form and history are on Toulouse’s side.
Leinster
Leinster have dominated the Guinness PRO14 since its inception, certainly over the past ten years, while also adding four stars to their jersey from their European exploits.
Saracens
They may not be at Europe’s top table this season for off-field reasons, but Saracens have established themselves as one of the titans of the game in over the past decade.
Exeter Chiefs
The current Heineken Champions Cup winners (for a few more weeks) and Gallagher Premiership winners Exeter Chiefs may not have the history to match the other teams in this league, but they have become a powerhouse in Europe in recent years.
So it begins… ? #SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/0Yvh5dcP7w
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) April 19, 2021
Clermont Auvergne
With only three Challenge Cup titles and two French titles, ASM Clermont Auvergne do not rival their counterparts in terms of silverware. But they have three runners-up medals in Europe’s elite competition over the past decade.
Munster
They may not necessarily have recent history on their side, as they have seen rivals Leinster eclipse them in recent years, but some of European rugby’s greatest moments are imbued with Munster heroics.
Racing 92
Much like ASM Clermont, Racing 92 do not have European titles to fall back on, and they only have one Top 14 title in the professional era, coming in 2016. But they have made three of the past five Champions Cup finals.
CONTENDERS
Wasps
After experiencing some dark days in 2012 as they almost went into administration, Wasps have grown in power since then, reaching the Premiership final twice, including last season’s showcase. They still haven’t matched their glory days of the 2000s, where they won two Heineken Cups and four Premierships, but their history speaks for itself.
Toulon
They may not have torn up any trees in Europe or France over the past five years (although they reached two Top 14 finals), but Toulon’s brief domination of the continent between 2013 and 2015 earn them a place in this league.
Glasgow Warriors
It may seem unfair that a team like Glasgow Warriors would keep out a side like Ulster from this league, but this allows representation across Europe. The Warriors did win the PRO14 in 2015 and were runners-up in 2019.
Scarlets
In terms of Welsh representation, the Ospreys have had more success in the professional era, but the Scarlets’ success has come more recently, which just gives them the edge.
Leicester Tigers
Including Leicester Tigers in this league may be controversial as their record in recent years is nothing to boast about, and they have even found themselves in a relegation scrap in the Premiership, but their history and name alone puts them in the conversation in a Super League.
La Rochelle
La Rochelle may be the new kids on the block in terms of European rugby with very few honours to their name. But as they currently stand joint top of the Top 14 and await Leinster in the Champions Cup semi-final, their reputation could be starkly different in a matter of weeks.
Ulster
Ulster are one of a few sides, alongside the likes of Bath and Northampton Saints, who experienced Heineken Cup success in the early days of the competition. They would all have a legitimate claim to be in the competition but Ulster may shade it after making the PRO14 final in 2020.
Comments on RugbyPass
“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
2 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
2 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
37 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
5 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
5 Go to comments