Europe’s Top Rugby Clubs

Broaden your Rugby Union knowledge by familiarising yourself with some of the top rugby clubs in Europe. Use this list as a quick guide to the clubs locations, backgrounds and achievements:




  • Bath: The first English club to win the European Cup in 1998, and the side which dominated English club rugby in the 1980s to mid-1990s.




  • Brive: Won the European Cup in 1997; this French side are on the way back after a dip in fortunes.




  • Gloucester: One of the best supported Guinness Premiership sides, runners-up in 2003, and Powergen Cup winners in 2003, too.




  • Leeds Tykes: Yorkshire side which has consolidated its place in the Guinness Premiership.




  • Leicester Tigers: England’s biggest and best club in recent seasons. The first back-to-back winners of the European Cup (in 2001 and 2002) and English champions from 1999 to 2002.




  • Llanelli Scarlets: The West Walians have kept Welsh club rugby’s standard flying high in hard times.




  • London Irish: Reading-based Guinness Premiership side with players drawn from all over the rugby world, despite retaining strong Celtic roots.




  • London Wasps: Zurich Premiership champions in 2003 – blitzing league leaders Gloucester in the final.




  • Munster: The Munstermen are the European Cup’s bridesmaids. Twice beaten finalists, twice beaten semi finalists, but their turn should come soon.




  • NEC Harlequins: One of the Guinness Premiership’s biggest brands, but persistent under-performers.




  • Newcastle Falcons: The Guinness Premiership’s flagship in North East England.




  • Northampton Saints: Lifted the European Cup in 2000, the one and only major trophy for a side with great support.




  • Sale Sharks: The North-Westerners have been high achievers in the Guinness Premiership in recent seasons; have just relocated to Stockport.




  • Saracens: Big spending, Watford-based Guinness Premiership outfit, but not too much silverware to show for it.




  • Stade Francais: Cosmopolitan Parisian club on the up and up. Won the 2003 French Championship.




  • Toulouse: The French giants who won the inaugural European Cup in 1996 and repeated the trick in 2003.




  • Ulster: The Irishmen won the European Cup in 1999 after the English boycotted the tournament.










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