Another season of elite European rugby is upon us.
Soon, the travails of our countrymen in the World Cup shall be forgotten as we throw our chips behind our club and provincial heroes.
20 of Europe’s top clubs were begin their Champions Cup journeys this weekend.
What better way to judge who will lift silverware next May than by judging the best kits each side has to offer. Starting with the worst [Exeter], here we go.
20. Exeter Chiefs
A monstrosity. Looks like a Maori-tribute botch job but is actually two Indian chiefs going face to face. Far too busy. Hard to find a positive.
19. Bordeaux Begles
You’re in the Champions Cup lads, make a bloody effort. Boring maroon number with a sponsor’s logo hanging around the gut.
18. Clermont Auvergne
The perennial challengers have a nifty yellow number too but this is the kit they proudly displayed at the tournament launch. Blue and yellow army fatigue accents? No.
17. Scarlets
Its digestive biscuitness is similar in so many ways to the Bordeaux boys. Plain and forgettable with a sad-looking collar.
16. Leicester Tigers
This will go down well at Welford Road but inspires little interest away from its cosy confines. Another upturned half collar.
13. Glasgow Warriors
Some mathematics under both armpits to keep you busy on long away days. One of the only sides to sport the polo top-esque collar.
14. Bath
Sticky bits on the chest to make balls easy to hold onto. The alternate kit will dice it out with the easier on the eye blue and white home number. A little too plain.
13. Northampton Saints
More sticky bits and a gigantic sponsors’ logo. Sponsors on the nifty, round collar too. Not bad.
12. Leinster
As brave this year as it was upon its launch last year. Far from perfect but fair play to Canterbury for having a dart. Bold to splash yellow across the midriff. Clean placement of logos and sponsor with a decent collar.
11. Ospreys
The Welsh side have somehow, by the skin of Alun Wyn Jones’ teeth, pulled off a daring Ospreys mask design in their jersey. Another change kit here but with some day-glo lemon to set off the black.
10. Ulster
Big collars are out this year and Ulster follow the trend. A lot of white going on with some flecks of red and black.
9. Toulon
Not one of Toulon’s finest efforts but, given their strong colours, they rarely get it wrong. Crest is somewhat lost in the centre of the jersey and logos.
8. Stade Francais
The Parisians are more often ‘miss’ than ‘hit’ but they pull it off well this time. Pink lightning forks on an intricately designed navy jersey. Dipping collar is a bit naff.
7. Wasps
Black and yellow looking well with a bold drain down the chest and what looks to be loose tyre chippings across the whole jersey. Understated sponsor.
6. Saracens
Trumps the Toulon effort by reversing the colours and being bolder with the fade out. Would go well with casual wear.
5. Toulouse
Not messing too much with the classic and keeping the long-time sponsor happy. You’ll know who you are playing when he get a gape at this.
4. Munster
Much like the Toulouse effort. Simple but appealing. Classic Munster. The new home jersey would have ranked higher if the province did not have this special edition.
3. Treviso
A high finish for the Italians with this excellent light blue and white design. Well offset by the crest and logo. All ties in very well.
2. Racing 92
Racing rarely go wrong, despite the splatter of sponsors. Best collar of the lot with nice accents. Dan Carter will look well in this.
1. Oyonnax
Well done you brave French battlers. The drops of colour somehow don’t look amiss.
