Champions Cup has a jeopardy problem: can anyone stop the Top 14 giants?

French clubs have won the Champions Cup for six consecutive years, and the 2024-25 edition again appears to be a two-horse race between Toulouse and Bordeaux-Bègles, both quoted at 13-5 by bookmakers. Leinster, Bath, Northampton, and Montpellier are the nearest challengers, with the Stormers and Glasgow further behind. Critics argue that a 24-team competition being effectively reduced to two genuine contenders before it begins represents a significant structural problem for the tournament.