United Rugby Championship Clubs In The Investec Champions Cup

When it comes to club rugby, no competition holds more prestige than the blue-chip stock that is the Investec Champions Cup. 

For the traditionalists, the former Heineken Cup has been a staple of the European game since the 1995-1996 season. 

Pitting the very best of the European game against one another, the tournament has produced some of the finest rugby moments ever seen. 

Whether it is the glitz and glamour of the continental teams, the no-nonsense English clubs or the tribalism of the Celtic unions, the tournament brings out the very best in players and supporters. 

Highlighting the competitive nature of the tournament, teams from each of the three competing leagues, the United Rugby Championship, Gallagher Premiership and French Top 14, all have won the tournament. 

Thus, the desire to succeed in the tournament continues to burn as ferociously as ever for the 24 competing clubs chasing what undoubtedly is the pinnacle of the club game. 

While the tradition of the tournament remains in place, the organizers have taken the brave and bold step to extend its borders. 

Extending their reach beyond European borders, the tournament organizers followed the URC’s pathway to include teams from South Africa last season. 

Now, returning for another bite of the apple, South Africa’s big two from the URC, the DHL Stormers and Vodacom Bulls, will look to break the monopoly held by the French, English and Irish clubs. 

Joining the South African sides in chasing the title will be the lone Welsh representative in the competition, capital side Cardiff. As losing finalists in the inaugural tournament, the men in blue have an esteemed history with the tournament. Though they have never won, they have, at times, come within a fingertip of returning to the final. 

Entering this season as a major underdog, little is expected of Cardiff, which will be just how they like it.   

So, without further ado, here is a look at the eight URC teams that will be looking to stake their claim for the ultimate honor in club rugby. 

Leinster Rugby 

Four-time champion Leinster enter the 2023-2024 competition scorned by the disappointment of back-to-back final losses in the past two seasons. 

The Dubliners have entered just about every tournament over the past decade as favorites, yet they have claimed just one title since 2012, which came in 2018. 

While just about every other team in the competition would be thrilled with this return, the men from Ireland’s capital simply do not settle for mediocrity. 

Adding insult to the wound, last season’s final in Dublin saw them race out to a three-score lead only to squander any chance of winning, as Top 14 powerhouse La Rochelle, guided by former Munster and Ireland icon Ronan O’Gara, nipped them to the finish line. 

Mirroring the outcome of a year previous, Leinster’s unwanted tag as nearly-men remains. 

One person who does not settle for second best is two-time Rugby…