The Most Successful Teams in the History of the European Champions Cup
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Rugby has plenty of elite competitions. Internationally, the World Cup reigns supreme. Lifting the Web Ellis Trophy is the dream of every young player as they grow up, and it is an honour that South Africans have enjoyed more than most, winning the tournament four times over the years including the last two back-to-back. For club rugby, however, the European Champions Cup is the pinnacle. The competition has been is defined by monumental clashes, unforgettable moments, and legendary squads. But which of them has dominated more than the others?
Toulouse
French powerhouse Toulouse is the reigning champions and the most successful team in history with six trophies to their name. They most recently reigned supreme back in May when they defeated Leinster after extra time at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. The popular Paddy Power Sportsbook makes them the favourites to claim a record-extending seventh crown this year, pricing them as the 7/4 frontrunner.
For scrum-half and star player Antoine Dupont, claiming the trophy could mark the culmination of a famous quadruple. He won an Olympic Gold Medal with France in the summer, while his beloved Les Bleus are a second favourite for the six nations. Add to that a potential European Cup and another Top 14 crown with Toulouse, and history would be made. Anyone who predicted all four things to happen might want to check their lucky 15 bet calculator should both he and his respective teams continue in a similar vein, as payouts will differ depending on just how many of those four selections come to fruition.
Toulouse’s first triumph in 1996 set the tone for what would become a legacy of European dominance. That year, with Philippe Carbonneau and Émile Ntamack pulling the strings, the French giants secured a historic victory over Cardiff after extra time, dramatically winning the inaugural crown. They went on to claim two titles in three seasons in 2003 and 2005 as Jean-Baptiste Elissalde and Yannick Jauzion ran roughshod amongst the rest of the continent.
Frédéric Michalak’s brilliance led them to yet another triumph in 2010 and since the dawn of the 2020s, it’s been all about Dupont. He has led his side to the trophy in 2021 and again three years later, and it would take a brave punter betting against him to repeat the feat this season as well.
TOULOUSE ARE CHAMPIONS 🏆#Rugby #investecchampionscup #LEINvTLS pic.twitter.com/hSQmnuNMyj
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) May 25, 2024
Leinster
Leinster have lifted the Champions Cup four times, making them the second most successful team in history and comfortably the most prominent Irish outfit. Their breakthrough in 2008–09 marked a seismic shift on the continent, as the Dublin outfit’s core of home-grown players stunned the rugby world. The iconic 25-6 semifinal win over rivals Munster, followed by the fiery fightback against Leicester Tigers in the final, announced Leinster as a force to be reckoned with.
The club’s golden era followed, with Brian O’Driscoll leading his side to back-to-back titles in 2011 and 2012. Their victory over Northampton Saints in 2011 was miraculous, rallying from a 22-6 half-time deficit to emerge as a 33-22 victor thanks to the sensational Jonny Sexton. He was at the forefront again as he led his beloved side to a final victory against Racing 92 in 2018.
In recent years, however, the Irish side has known nothing but heartbreak. They have reached the final in each of the last three seasons, but inexplicably they have gone on to lose all three. They will be hoping to go one step better in 2025.
