EVERY Team to win back-to-back Champions Cups as Boadeaux-Begles chase title retention

The show-piece event takes place at the San Malmas Stadium, the home of Athletic Bilbao football club out in Northern Spain. Whilst Leinster are back in the final in search of the long alluded fifth European star, Bordeaux-Begles seek to make some history of their own.

Should the French side triumph in the grand finale, they will become just the sixth side to successfully retain the Champions Cup, dating all the way back through the old Heineken Cup era. In this article, we've looked back on some of the all-time greatest European club sides, and pieced together the complete list of teams that went back-to-back for club rugby's greatest prize.

Leicester Tigers became the first side to successfully defend the Heineken Cup when Martin Johnson’s battle-hardened squad conquered Europe in 2001 and 2002. Built around power, tactical control and relentless forward dominance, the Tigers established themselves as the benchmark of northern hemisphere rugby at the turn of the millennium, with a squad brimming with soon-to-be Rugby World Cup winners.

Their first European crown arrived in dramatic fashion in 2001, when Leicester edged Stade Français 34-30 at Parc des Princes in Paris. Fly-half Tim Stimpson was the hero, scoring 19 points through a remarkable display of goal-kicking, whilst Neil Back, and a brace for Leon Llyod extended the tally. Leicester’s route to the title included overcoming tough opposition such as Munster and Gloucester, while the final showcased the steel that defined the era of East Midlands success.

A year later they defended their crown with a 15-9 victory over Munster Rugby at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. It remains one of the most physical European finals ever played, with Johnson, Back, Graham Rowntree and Martin Corry leading a ferocious battle in the forward pack. Geordan Murphy and Austin Healey scored Leicester’s decisive tries, in the gutsy triumph over the likes of Ronan O'Gara, Peter Stringer and Paul O'Connell.

The golden generation of Leinster Rugby reached legendary status with consecutive European triumphs in 2011 and 2012, producing some of the competition’s most iconic performances along the way. Driven by a core of Irish internationals and orchestrated by emerald green legends Brian O’Driscoll and Johnny Sexton, the Dubliners ruled the roost a cut above the rest.

Their 2011 success is widely regarded as one of the greatest comebacks in the tournament's history. Trailing Northampton Saints 22-6 at half-time in Cardiff, Leinster exploded after the break to win 33-22. Sexton delivered a masterclass in game management and creativity with a brace of tries and 18 points from the tee, as Nathan Hines, Jamie Heaslip and Sean O’Brien dominated physically. The province had already defeated Leicester Tigers and Toulouse en route to the iconic final.

In 2012 Leinster retained the trophy with a clinical 42-14 dismantling of Ulster Rugby at Twickenham. Sexton again controlled proceedings brilliantly, while Sean O'Brien, Cian Healy and Heinke van der Merwe helped overwhelm their Irish rivals across the whitewash. Leinster’s attacking rugby throughout the tournament was breathtaking, with Joe Schmidt’s tactical framework elevating an already gifted squad.

No team has ever matched the 'Galacticos' star power and intimidation factor of RC Toulon during their extraordinary three-peat between 2013 and 2015. Packed with global superstars and led by Jonny Wilkinson’s ice-cold authority, Toulon dominated Europe with brutal forward power and ruthless big-game experience in this well-remembered era.

Their first title came in 2013 when they defeated Clermont Auvergne 16-15 in a dramatic all-French final at the Aviva Stadium. Wilkinson’s kicking proved decisive, while Delon Armitage’s try mid-way through the second half sealed victory for the Galacticos. The tournament also featured a memorable semi-final triumph over Saracens, as Toulon emerged as the new kings of Europe.

In 2014 Toulon defended the title with a thrilling 23-6 victory over the very same Londoners in Cardiff. Wilkinson controlled the final upon his farewell European appearance, while Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchell added attacking class from their Wallabies and All Blacks experience. The physical presence of Springboks enforcer Bakkies Botha, New Zealand pillar Carl Hayman, and England ex-pat Steffon Armitage gave Toulon an unmatched arsenal up-front.

Their historic third consecutive crown arrived in 2015 with a 24-18 win against Clermont Auvergne at Twickenham. Wilkinson had retired by then, but the side remained loaded with elite talent including All Blacks midfielder Ma’a Nonu, flying Springboks sensation Bryan Habana and decorated Wales fullback Leigh Halfpenny. Chris Masoe and Juan Smith also delivered huge performances in another bruising final.

Toulon’s era redefined professional club rugby. Owner Mourad Boudjellal assembled an unbeatable squad filled with World Cup winners and Test legends, but beyond the star names was a team built for knockout rugby. Their three consecutive European titles will forever remain one of rugby’s greatest achievements.

Saracens established themselves as Europe’s dominant force in the mid-2010s through a culture built on ruthless standards, sporting the crux of the Grand Slam winning England team. Their consecutive Champions Cup triumphs in 2016 and 2017 reflected the peak of Mark McCall’s outstanding side, in a long celebrated (but now financially debated) time in North London.

Saracens captured their first European title in 2016 by defeating Racing 21-9 in Lyon. England captain Owen Farrell controlled the game superbly with the boot, while his club and country teammates Billy Vunipola and Maro Itoje imposed themselves physically. Earlier in the tournament Saracens overcame Wasps and Leinster during a campaign defined by discipline and relentless pressure.

They retained the title in 2017 with a spectacular 28-17 victory over Clermont Auvergne in Edinburgh. Chris Ashton scored two tries with his iconic 'splash', while Farrell and multi-tool fullback Alex Goode orchestrated a composed attacking display. Itoje’s emergence as one of world rugby’s elite forwards, added another dimension, ahead of his Lions tour debut that following Summer in New Zealand.

La Rochelle completed a remarkable rise in European rugby, by winning back-to-back Champions Cups in 2022 and 2023 under the guidance of Ireland legend Ronan O’Gara. Built around immense physicality, tactical intelligence and emotional resilience, La Rochelle became the team nobody wanted to face and the adopted 'second side' for many an eliminated supporter.

Their maiden title came in unforgettable fashion in 2022 when they stunned Leinster 24-21 in Marseille to win their inaugural European crown. Trailing 21-7, La Rochelle produced a ferocious second-half comeback, with Grégory Alldritt, Will Skelton and Jonathan Danty overwhelming Leinster physically. Arthur Retière scored the decisive late try, sealing one of the great final turnarounds.

A year later they defended the title with another dramatic victory over Leinster, winning 27-26 at the Aviva Stadium much to the delight of La Rochelle's coach and Munster legend O'Gara. Once again the French side displayed extraordinary composure under pressure, with Antoine Hastoy kicking the winning penalty after a relentless second-half surge. Uini Atonio and Skelton dominated collisions, while Tawera Kerr-Barlow controlled the tempo superbly.

La Rochelle’s route to both titles included major victories over European heavyweights such as Racing 92, and former champions Saracens and Exeter Chiefs. Their success was driven by O’Gara’s uncompromising standards and the squad’s ability to thrive in high-pressure moments, thanks to his motivating French-Corconian team-talks; “L'opportunité c'est f****** énorme!”