From Rugby World · · 1m 40s
12 European Rugby Champions Cup Legends
12 players and coaches who defined Europe's premier club rugby competition since 1995.
In brief
12 players and coaches who defined Europe's premier club rugby competition since 1995. Brad Barritt, Leo Cullen, Christophe Deylaud and 10 others helped shape the European Champions Cup from 1995 to present. Originally reported by Rugby World.
European Champions Cup history
The competition began in 1995 with 3,000 fans watching Toulouse beat Romania’s Farul Constanţa 54-10.
“The competition’s come a long way since it kicked off on 31 october 1995”
Brad Barritt
Brad Barritt captained Saracens to three Champions Cup wins in 2016, 2017 and 2019.
“Brad Barritt was captain in all of them, 2016, 2017 and 2019”
Leo Cullen
Leo Cullen captained Leinster to four Champions Cup wins and later coached them to a 2018 title.
“Leinster have won four Champions Cups and Leo Cullen has been involved in the lot”
Christophe Deylaud
Christophe Deylaud scored Toulouse’s first Champions Cup win in 1996 against Cardiff.
“Deylaud, fly-half in a Toulouse team... was the man to grab his piece of history in the 1996 final”
Antoine Dupont
Antoine Dupont won Champions Cup titles with Toulouse in 2021 and 2024.
“Antoine Dupont, a Champions Cup winner in 2021 and 2024”
Anthony Foley
Anthony Foley captained Munster to their first Champions Cup win in 2006.
“Anthony Foley captained Munster to their first Champions Cup win in 2006”
Austin Healey
Austin Healey scored Leicester Tigers’ winning try in the 2001 Champions Cup final.
“Healey made the 79th-minute try for Leon Lloyd that gave Tigers a two-point lead”
Rob Howley
Rob Howley scored Wasps’ winning try in the 2004 Champions Cup final.
“Wasps and Toulouse were locked at 20-20 with two minutes to go when Howley speculatively poked the ball down the left touchline”
Isa Nacewa
Isa Nacewa helped Leinster win four Champions Cups and scored the winning penalty in 2018.
“Nacewa kicked the winning penalty as Leinster beat Racing 15-12 to win a fourth title”
Guy Novès
Guy Novès coached Toulouse to four Champions Cup wins including the first in 1996.
“Guy Novès guided Toulouse to four European titles, including the first one in 1996”
Ronan O’Gara
Ronan O’Gara won two Champions Cups with Munster and later coached La Rochelle to titles.
“Ronan O’Gara emulated that as a coach when he helped La Rochelle to titles in 2022 and 2023”
Johnny Sexton
Johnny Sexton won four Champions Cups with Leinster including the 2011 final.
“Johnny Sexton conquered Europe four times with Leinster but it was the 2011 final”
Jonny Wilkinson
Jonny Wilkinson won Champions Cups with Toulon in 2013 and 2014.
“Jonny Wilkinson lifted the Champions Cup with Toulon in 2013 and 2.14”
The legacy
These 12 players and coaches defined Europe’s premier club rugby competition since 1995.
“The dozen players we’ve chosen here have all made their mark in the competition”
What it means
Brad Barritt, Leo Cullen, Christophe Deylaud and 10 others helped shape the European Champions Cup from 1995 to present.
