Following the conclusion of the opening block of Champions Cup games, there are plenty of shocks and surprises that have befallen. Robert Rees ranks each team in a top 20 Champions Cup power rankings.
1. Exeter Chiefs
The only side with maximum points after the opening block of fixtures. Rob Baxter’s men have looked the most dangerous and taken their opportunities well. A cracking performance away to La Rochelle got them on their way before a home win over Glasgow.
That knock through from @Sladey_10 and the pace from O'Flaherty 🙌 pic.twitter.com/vBtUQIwHZR
— Exeter Chiefs (@ExeterChiefs) November 25, 2019
The Chiefs have only qualified for the knockout stages once before, but they look set to trounce that record this season.
2. Leinster
Leo Cullen’s men have began their search for a fifth European crown in style. A powerful display against Benetton in week one saw the return of their internationals in an open display of raw skill and power.
They weren’t in full flow against Lyon, but certainly made inroads to a team who can win ugly.
3. Northampton Saints
To have two teams from the same group within the top three goes to show the quality of each pool in this year’s Champions Cup. Chris Boyd’s men have brought their Premiership form into Europe and controlled their way to a dominant display against Lyon at Franklin’s Gardens.
Their impressive scoring continued into week two where they overcame a tough Benetton side courtesy of a Dan Biggar penalty.
4. Racing 92
Have shown some excellent displays of skill against top opposition. Seven points after facing both Munster away and Saracens at home is a great tally.
1⃣.Petit Pont et… ESSAI ! 🤯
Le très joli mouvement @finn_russell est en lice pour être désigné essai du weekend de @ChampionsCup_FR !
Votez pour Finn 💌https://t.co/7lnRSgdZrN#RacingFamily pic.twitter.com/BvuKxBh9Zk
— Racing 92 (@racing92) November 25, 2019
5. Munster
Like Racing, they sit on seven points. A gutsy and heroic display at home to Racing highlights how much this team love Europe, following in a destructive bonus point win over the Ospreys.
6. Ulster
Ulster look like a team who can win games. Defeating Bath away by a single point showed their class as an outstanding defensive display kept the hosts out. They then backed this up by bullying Clermont to go to eight points.
Here’s how Pool 3 of the @ChampionsCup looks after Round 2 👇#SUFTUM pic.twitter.com/ul1MDZ8zzC
— Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) November 23, 2019
7. Toulouse
Despite sitting on nine points, Toulouse haven’t looked that good and thus why they’re lower down this list. A great comeback against Gloucester got them going but they were then sloppy in their win against Connacht. A lot more to come.
8. Clermont Auvergne
A huge bonus point in week one would have landed Clermont as the favourites, but to back that up with a sloppy and weak display against Ulster means they drop down to eighth having collected only six points.
9. Saracens
Looked poor in round one against Racing but ramped up the performance to destroy a struggling Ospreys side. They could still defend their title if they keep adding their World Cup stars to their squad.
10. Montpellier
Defeated by Connacht in round one, they may have been expected to have turned their attention to the Top14, but no. A physical outing against Gloucester, marred only by the silly red card sees them hit the top 10 in our list.
11. Sale Sharks
Scrappy performance against Glasgow in round one, but turned it around to beat an ill-disciplined La Rochelle side at the AJ Bell.
12. Harlequins
Trounced in round one by a blistering Clermont outfit, they put out a gutsy display to hold off fellow Premiership side Bath to get their first points on the board.
13. Glasgow Warriors
Were disappointing in their opening round win over Sale, but then fell short in the second half against Exeter.
14. Connacht
An excellent display against Montpellier in their opening round was to be applauded but they crumbled when Toulouse came calling.
15. Benetton
Kieron Crowley’s side looked strong in both games, especially off the lineout, but couldn’t convert either performance into a win.
16. Gloucester
A disappointing loss to Toulouse after a large lead was thrown away was then backed up by a gutsy performance by a young side, but with no win on the cards it looks to be an early exit again.
17. Bath
Looked blunt in attack throughout both opening games and poor discipline has cost them yet another European campaign.
18. Lyon
Coming into the Champions Cup with only one loss to their name they could have been seen as a large favourite. However, they have now lost two games in a row and looked sloppy in both.
19. La Rochelle
Crushed by a far superior Exeter side in round one they looked poor before falling apart against Sale, especially on the penalty front.
A classic from Vincent Rattez 😍
Slicing through the @SaleSharksRugby defence for @staderochelais, could he be a #HeinekenChampionsCup top try-scorer contender this season? ⚓️ pic.twitter.com/QAtmQCy1Mg
— Heineken Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) November 25, 2019
20. Ospreys
Along with La Rochelle, they are the only team with zero points. Their dire performances have left them with a deficit of 60 points difference and a fixture list of Racing 92 (home and away), Saracens at home and Munster away to come.
“Main photo credit”
