The 25 Best Rugby Clubs In The World On May 7 | FloRugby Rankings
The 25 Best Rugby Clubs In The World On May 7 | FloRugby Rankings
Power shifts in global rugby as UBB and Saints rise, Chiefs stumble and Lyon secures spot in Challenge Cup final. See the complete rankings now.
Back-to-back upset victories in the Investec Champions Cup have shuffled this week’s FloRugby Power Rankings in a major way!
Now locked in as our finalists, Union Bordeaux-Begles and the Northampton Saints were big-time winners this week, with our algorithm placing significant importance on Champions Cup knockout fixtures.
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One rung down, Bath Rugby and Lyon set up a tantalising Challenge Cup final match up whilst the Chiefs have opened the door for the Crusaders in Super Rugby.
Without further ado, here are this week’s FloRugby Top-25 Professional Club Power Rankings:
1. Union Bordeaux-Begles | 22-0-7
Flattening Stade Toulousain for the third time this season, UBB confirmed that any hang-ups from last season’s Top 14 final have been firmly put aside.
Overcoming a slight second-half wobble, the Louis Bielle-Biarrey-inspired powerhouse weathered a Toulouse barrage to strike late and seal the deal.
2. Toulouse | 22-1-6
One loss does not define a team, especially one with bundles of the team's top talent out injured.
While Antoine Dupont and Peato Mauvaka are not set to return this season, bringing back other key players, namely Blair Kinghorn, later this season will make a significant difference to the squad's Top 14 hopes.
3. Northampton Saints | 12-0-9
Stunned Leinster as the first team to truly unlock the Jacques Nienaber defense this season (outside of Scarlets against a heavily rotated Leinster side).
The Saints' power and pace clearly knocked Leinster onto its heels, and the Premiership side was full value for the win.
Henry Pollock, Fin Smith, Alex Mitchell and Tommy Freeman were immense, so too were less-heralded players, such as the Aussie duo of James Ramm and James Kemeny.
4. Crusaders | 8-0-2
Week on week, the 'Saders look to be the class of Super Rugby this season.
On a bye last time out after thumping the Highlanders, the Christchurch side saw its biggest rivals, the Chiefs, come unstuck big time against the Hurricanes.
Set to square off with the Chiefs again in Week 13, the Crusaders could well be top of the table by Saturday afternoon.
5. Leinster Rugby | 20-0-3
Lethargic, ill-prepared and downright disappointing, there is no point in sugar coating Leinster’s performance.
Without taking anything away from the Saints, who were magnificent, Leinster did not expect to be in a dog fight.
Once again coming unstuck when it mattered most, there is a systemic issue in the Leinster setup that is holding back what, on paper, was the best squad in this season’s Champions Cup.
6. Bath Rugby | 17-0-5
Returning north of the border, Finn Russell led his merry band of Bath stars to a comfortable win over Edinburgh.
Now the odds on favorite to win two titles this season, Bath is a coming force that will be a contender in next season’s Champions Cup.
7. Chiefs Rugby | 8-0-3
Slipping up against the Hurricanes, the Chiefs are clinging onto the top spot by their fingernails.
Fortunately for Clayton McMillan’s side, their destiny is firmly in their own hands, and they will be itching to lay down a marker against the Crusaders next time out.
8. Bayonne | 16-0-11
Not in action last week.
9. Vodacom Bulls | 14-0-8
Not in action last week.
10. Toulon | 18-0-10
Not in action last week.
11. Glasgow Warriors | 14-0-8
Not in action last week.
12. Lyon | 16-2-11
Rubber stamping its place in this season’s Challenge Cup final with a commanding win over Racing 92, Lyon will go guns blazing for the title in Cardiff on May 23.
A win will guarantee Champions Cup rugby next season, perhaps relieving some stress as the team focuses on the playoff run-in to the end of the Top 14 season.
13. Leicester Tigers | 11-1-7
Not in action last week.
14. Brumbies | 7-0-4
Righting the wrongs of their loss in Sydney earlier this season, the Brumbies showed their rivals that there are levels to the game in Super Rugby.
Racing away to a 40-17 win over the Waratahs, Stephen Larkham’s side was composed and had several top Wallabies put in season-best performances.
15. DHL Stormers | 9-0-11
Not in action last week.
16. Hurricanes | 5-1-5
Now that was a statement from the Canes who simply whipped the Chiefs to slide into the top 5.
Backing up its victory over the Brumbies a week earlier, the Wellington side is starting to get a nice streak going ahead of this week’s bye.
17. Hollywoodbets Sharks | 12-0-8
Not in action last week.
18. Sale Sharks | 12-0-7
Not in action last week.
19. Cardiff Rugby | 9-1-11
Not in action last week.
20. Gloucester Rugby | 11-0-10
Not in action last week.
21. Scarlets | 10-1-10
Not in action last week.
22. Munster Rugby | 10-0-12
Not in action last week.
23. Ospreys | 11-1-10
Not in action last week.
24. Queensland Reds | 6-0-4
They aren’t the first team to lose away to the Fijian Drua, and they won’t be the last.
Ultimately, they should’ve closed out the match, but for a momentary lapse in concentration as time expired.
While the loss no doubt will frustrate Les Kiss, the Reds remain cemented into the top 4 heading into their big ‘Origin’ clash with the Waratahs.
25. Stade Rochelais | 11-1-14
Not in action last week.
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