Investec Champions Cup power rankings | Top 14 on top, surprises in the top 10

The opening two rounds of the Investec Champions Cup have set the stage for an exciting run towards next May’s final in Cardiff. With some of the world’s best club teams in the competition, outside of the dominant forces of Leinster and Toulouse, the competition feels wide open.

Looking ahead to 2025, rugby fans feel set for a journey where world-class attacks will be met with stingy defences. On the attacking side of things, Toulouse lead the way and are closely followed by Bordeaux-Bègles and Northampton Saints. These three uptempo operations feel destined to face off against teams renowned for their solid defensive structures, like Leinster, La Rochelle, and Saracens.

Toulouse, with Antoine Dupont conducting an outlandishly talented team, has shown a penchant for tearing through defences, having scored 125 points through the opening two rounds. Bordeaux, with a potent blend of powerful forwards and agile backs, has also been impressive, showcasing precise execution and the ability to transition from defense to attack seamlessly. Northampton Saints, with their dynamic backline boosted by the return of Alex Mitchell, has added a different dimension to the competition with their ability to break down defences.

In contrast, Leinster, La Rochelle, and Saracens have demonstrated why they are considered some of the toughest defensive teams in Europe. Leinster’s well-drilled pack and organised backline have consistently disrupted opposing attacks. Shifting away from their previously uptempo game, the Dublin-based side has embraced the controlled chaos of Jacques Nienaber’s Springbok-style blitz defence. On the French Atlantic coast, La Rochelle’s physicality, bolstered by their giant forward pack and a robust defensive strategy, has made them a tough opponent, with them looking like serious contenders to claim a third title in four seasons. Recapturing the hallmarks of their glory days, Saracens remain a defence-first outfit but with a new attacking wrinkle to their game.

In terms of outside bets, the Hollywoodbets Sharks are capable of putting a near-full Springbok team out, which will challenge any side in the competition. With their explosive attacking play and pack capable of matching the physicality of their European counterparts, the Sharks could pose a significant challenge to the established giants.

As we move into the second half of the competition, the spotlight will be on these teams as they strive to make their mark in the Investec Champions Cup. Whether it’s the flair and creativity of Toulouse, Bordeaux, and Northampton or the defensive resilience of Leinster, La Rochelle, and Saracens, one thing is certain—the stage is set for a dramatic final two pool rounds before the knock-out stages roll in.

1. Toulouse
Untouchable through two rounds, the reigning champions have been the class act of the opening two rounds. Scoring over 60 points in both of their opening fixtures, Ugo Mola’s side looks scary good once again this season.

2. Leinster
Interestingly, starting ‘slowly’ by their own high standards, this Leinster team stand in stark contrast to previous iterations. Clearly embracing Jacques Nienaber’s defensive system wholeheartedly, they shut down both Bristol and Clermont. In short, they feel like they have more room for growth than Toulouse and are far and away the biggest challengers this season.

3. Bordeaux-Begles
If enjoyment was to be portrayed in a rugby team, then it would be Bordeaux. Trailing in both of their opening two matches at half-time, they have gone on to outscore their opponents 54 – 7. Let that sink in.

4. Northampton Saints
Arguably the surprise package of the opening two rounds, given their mixed form in the Premiership, last year’s semi-finalists are true contenders once again this season. Alex Mitchell’s return has been a huge boost, while Fin Smith, Tommy Freeman, and Henry Pollock have been exceptional in two rounds.

5. La Rochelle
Showing the power that delivered them back-to-back titles in 2022 and 2023, Ronan O’Gara’s behemoths put to be an embarrassing home loss to Vannes and now look back in the groove. This is a worrying development for every other Champions Cup team, albeit their acid test will come against Leinster in round three.

6. Toulon
We’re backkkkk! That must surely be the cries coming out of the Mediterranean port city. Certainly, this side is nothing like the Galácticos, who delivered three titles, but they are a serious outfit in their own right. Led by the exceptional pairing of Baptiste Serin and Charles Ollivon, RC Toulonnais can beat any team in this year’s competition.

7. Glasgow Warriors
Travelling to a French powerhouse is never easy, but this Warriors side did just that and went toe-to-toe with the side that was just about them in the rankings. Capable of winning anywhere in the competition, the Warriors will be a tough out. With Racing to come at home, expect them to enter round four against Harlequins with a home last-16 match on the line.

8. Saracens
Mirroring the above with Toulon, this Sarries team is a different beast than their star-studded cup-winning team, but it is firmly on its way back as a force. Thumping the Bulls in round one before overcoming what could’ve been a banana peel against a 14-man Stade in round two proved that the Londoners can win in a variety of scenarios.

9. Clermont
Another former European power who has looked exceptional through two rounds, albeit Leinster held them scoreless outside of a rather fortuitous early try. Putting this aside, they held Leinster to just 15 points and nilled Benetton in round one whilst scoring four tries of their own. Buoyed by some exceptionally talented young players, namely Baptiste Jauneau, and driven forward by veterans such as Peceli Yato, Fritz Lee, Marcos Kremer and Benjamin Urdapilleta. This Clermont side is capable of going deep in this year’s competition with the right draw.

10. Leicester Tigers
Forced into resting key players in round one, the Tigers looked set for pulling off an upset as they led Bordeaux at half-time. In the end, they had to settle for a four-try bonus point. A week later, and with their big guns back, they obliterated the Sharks in a true show of force.

11. Hollywoodbets Sharks
Capable of putting out a match-day squad, which is the match of any outside of Toulouse and Leinster, the Springbok-laden Sharks are a dark horse for this year’s title. Ultimately, their ambitions will be determined by whether they prioritise the URC over the Cup, which, by the noises coming out of the camp, they will. Alas, they will almost certainly knock out a contender before it is all said and done.

12. Harlequins
Similar to the Sharks in their ability to put out a top-notch match day-23, the biggest obstacle facing Quins this season is depth. Should they suffer an injury to a key player, namely Marcus Smith, their campaign will be majorly derailed. If they can stay fit and healthy, they have enough moxie to beat anyone in a shootout.

13. Sale Sharks
One of the most difficult teams to assess in this year’s competition. Capable of manhandling most sides when in-form, the challenge for the Sharks come when they meet a pack that is a big and mean as theirs. If they can get on top, then the dual playmaking axis of George Ford and Robert Du Preez can have them playing in the right areas, whilst their pacy back three can shred opponents from anywhere.

14. Munster
Coming in for heavy criticism following what was a dire performance away to Castres, it is worth remembering where Munster are currently. At the time of writing, they do not have a permanent head coach, their injury list remains ridiculous, and yet they are still contenders for a play-off run. Bear with us here: when players return, which they will, and interim coach Ian Costello gets more embedded in his role, they will cause an upset. If, for no other reason than their history, Munster feels like they have hit their worst form, the only way left to go is to be up.

15. Benetton
Pulling off the shock of round two, Benetton’s brilliant late comeback win over Bath might just have condemned the Premiership leaders to an early exit. While the result came as a shock, this team has more than enough talent to progress to the next round. This is what has had Benetton fans tearing their hair out all season with their previous performances, namely the 28 – 0 loss to Clermont, not reflecting the talent of the squad.

16. Castres
Keeping their proud home record intact in round two, it is worth bearing in mind that Castres have already toppled Toulouse in the Top 14. Thus, when they overcame Munster with a late penalty and the internet broke, the famous Nate Diaz quote, “Yo, I’m not surprised”, comes to mind. Similar to the Hollywoodbets’ Sharks, if Castres want to make the knockout stages, then they almost certainly can, with what will likely be a rotated Bulls team coming to town in round three. This would set up a round four clash away to Saracens, where they could do what they normally do and send a second team and still qualify.

17. Bristol Bears
No team has had a tougher start to this competition outside of Ulster, which faced Toulouse and Bordeaux. For the Bears, facing Leinster and then La Rochelle was always going to be a tough ask to get a result. With Clermont away in the final round, a home clash with Benetton feels like their best shot at locking down a win this year.

18. Bath Rugby
Beginning our run of the most disappointing teams this campaign are the current Premiership leaders, who, in short, have fumbled the bag so far. Letting slip a golden opportunity to turnover La Rochelle in round one before completely capitulating in round two, Johan van Graan’s men now see their campaign on life support. Should they hit form in the second half of the competition, then a tough away last-16 clash awaits.

19. Vodacom Bulls
Losing to Saracens and the Northampton Saints is no embarrassment,t but the way the Bulls lost those two contests is unforgivable. In round one, outside of an early try, they didn’t fire a shot, whilst, in round two, they came in for heavy criticism from their coach, Jake White, for constantly shooting themselves in the foot. On paper, this squad is exceptionally talented, but with Kurt-Lee Arendse in Japan and Ruan Nortje injured, they have looked more like a lone Buffalo walking towards a pride of Lions. With an away trip to Castres and a home clash with Stade Francais to come, the schedule certainly gets easier, so qualifying for the next round remains a realistic possibility.

20. Racing 92
This is not to say that nepotism has been their downfall, but the murmurings from Racing fans about Stuart Lancaster picking his son Dan at flyhalf in the absence of Owen Farrell have not gone down well. Starting brightly with a round one victory over Harlequins in which Antoine Gibert started at flyhalf and played well, the Parisian side then got hockeyed a week later by the Sale Sharks. Perhaps it’s harsh to say, but this feels like a routine Racing season where they will huff and puff but ultimately accomplish little in the competition.

21. Ulster Rugby
Undermanned is the only way to sum up Irish Rugby’s northern province. Currently in the midst of a rebuild under new head coach Richie Murphy who worked magic with the Irish U20s, Ulster are a coming team. Right now they have just Cormac Izuchukwu, Iain Henderson, Rob Herring, Tom O’Toole, Nick Timoney, Stuart McCloskey, Michael Lowry, Kieran Treadwell, Jacob Stockdale (injured) and Tom Stewart (coming back from injury) as their international players. In truth, none of these players at the current moment are the first choice for Ireland and, in some cases, in Irish squads, but it is a good backbone to build around. Behind this group is a very talented cohort of players who have the potential to be Internationals: Zac Ward, Jude Postlethwaite, Nathan Doak, James Humphreys, Harry Sheridan, Dave McCann, Reuben Crothers, Ben Carson, Ben Moxham and Ethan McIlroy. Unfortunately, this season is just too early for them to be contenders.

22. Exeter Chiefs
See above with Ulster… Firmly in their ‘sophomore slump’, the new-look Chiefs side overachieved in last year’s season and have now reverted back to a more accurate reflection of where they are in their development. Still, their back three of Feyi-Waboso, Wyatt, Hodge, and Wimbush on the bench means the Chiefs have enough pace and skill to hurt teams. In the pack, there are some really good players, but overall, they lack the power to implement their previously highly effective direct game plan.

23. DHL Stormers
Arguably the biggest fall from grace of any side over the past two seasons, the former URC champions have been so far removed from the team they were three years ago, which is quite remarkable. Losing their home opener to Toulon before getting shredded by Harlequins has ratcheted up the pressure on the Cape Town side to push towards a strong 2025 run in the URC.

24. Stade Francais
A disaster from start to finish, three red cards in the opening two fixtures, has killed their chances of being a factor in this season’s competition. On paper, with their coaching staff and players, they should be contenders, but they have been their own worst enemies.