The European professional rugby seasons kick off a new year of action in September, as the Top 14, United Rugby Championship and Gallagher Premiership all get underway. 

The Top 14 features a loaded group of teams, including the defending Investec Champions Cup champion Toulouse, which also won a second straight Top 14 title in 2024. 

The URC, meanwhile, was won by the Glasgow Warriors, who defeated the Vodacom Bulls in South Africa to claim the Grand Final. 

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The Gallagher Cup was won by the Northampton Saints, and they, along with the top eight teams from the three professional leagues in Europe, will play in the Champions Cup that starts in December. The teams that didn’t qualify for the Champions Cup will play in the Challenge Cup. 

Meanwhile, the Japanese league, Japan Rugby League One, will start its next season in late December, while Super Rugby, the legendary league in the Pacific, will begin in spring 2025. In America, the Major League Rugby season also will begin in the spring. 

In the summer of 2024, before the international rugby season started, FloRugby ranked the 100 best players in the world. Now, it’s time to rank the 50 best professional rugby clubs in the world. 

And we start at No. 50. 

Editor's Note: This list is based on performances from the 2023-2024 season, not all-time. 

The Top 50 Professional Rugby Clubs In The World 

50. Scarlets | Wales | URC

Winning the Pro12 league in the 2016-2017 season, it is hard to fathom how far the Scarlets have dipped in recent seasons. 

Now seemingly turning a corner with a squad of talented youngsters and wily veterans, Dwayne Peel’s crew will be looking to put behind them the disappointments of last season in pursuit of a playoff spot in 2025. 

Crucial to their success will be the development of Welsh International fly-halves Sam Costelow and Ioan Lloyd. Both players are in the infancy of their pro careers at 23 years old but are crucial, not only to their region, but countries success over the coming season. 

Should one, or both, take a step forward, then both the Scarlets and Wales will have solved their playmaking issues. 

Elsewhere the club’s biggest position of strength will be in the backrow, with Vaea Fifita, Taine Plumtree, Carwyn Tuipulotu, Josh MacLeod, Jarrod Taylor and Ben Williams all capable of mixing it up with the big boys of the URC. 

49.  Houston SabreCats | United States | MLR

Major League Rugby’s regular-season darlings caught most observers off guard with 14 wins from 16 matches. This run would see them end the regular season 10 points clear of second place Seattle to set what should’ve been a home run in the playoffs. 

Unfortunately for the SabreCats, this form did not translate to the playoffs, as they were dumped out of the quarterfinals by their state rival Dallas Jackals. 

48. Bayonne | France | Top 14 

One of the surprise packages in the Investec Champions Cup when they drew with Munster at Thomond Park and thumped the Exeter Chiefs in the final round. 

Unfortunately for the team from the southwest of France, fighting on two fronts would see them slump to a rather mediocre season, as they finished 12th in the Top 14 and missed out on the Champions Cup knockouts by a single point. 

Parking this disappointment for a second, Bayonne remains a team capable of making a run into next season’s Top 14 playoffs without the burden of playing in the Champions Cup.

47. Kobelco Kobe Steelers | Japan | Japan League One

The first league champions, Kobe Steelers were home to current World Player Of The Year Ardie Savea last year. 

Linking up with All Blacks teammates Brodie Retallick and Ngani Laumape for the season, Savea credited his time in Kobe for a renewed sense of passion for the sport. 

While they did not reach the semifinals last season, Kobe is one of the top sides in the league and will be a threat again in the upcoming season.

46. Toyota Cheetahs | South Africa | Unaffiliated 

Currently unattached. That’s an interesting statement, isn’t it? 

Despite being South African rugby’s heartland, the Toyota Cheetahs are not currently a member of an international league. They are, however, topping the table in the Currie Cup and once again will feature in the EPCR Challenge Cup. 

Producing some of the greatest Springboks of all time, the Free State region is a factory line for talent, namely through the ultra-impressive Grey College. This, combined with their on-field results, could well see the Cheetahs reenter the URC, should the league expand further and SA Rugby have the resources to fund it.

45. Seattle Seawolves | United States | MLR

Unable to stop the fast-rolling Free Jacks machine in the final, the Seawolves have been one of the most consistent operators in the MLR’s history. 

Winning the title in back-to-back seasons (2018 and 2019), Seattle has since gone on to lose the finals in 2022 and 2024. Yet, this sustained success ensures that the Seawolves will enter the 2025 season as one of the favorites once again. 

Home to several international stars, such as former Wallaby Tevita Kuridrani, USA Eagle Tavite Lopeti, Connor Mooneyham and former SA U20 standout Dan Kriel (twin brother of Springbok Jesse), Seattle has a squad strong enough to sustain the rigors of a long season.

44. Tokyo Sungoliath | Japan | Japan League One

Japanese rugby’s poster child has a history of attracting the biggest names from around the globe. 

Front and center last season was Springbok flyer Cheslin Kolbe, Welsh international Gareth Anscombe, Los Pumas Nicholas Sanchez and former All Blacks captain Sam Cane. 

Winning five Top League titles in its history, Sungoliath places joint second in terms of total titles. 

In addition to the current squad, Sungoliath has had the likes of Eddie Jones, George Smith, Beauden Barrett, Schalk Burger, Fourie du Preez and George Gregan come through the doors over the years. 

Looking ahead, Sungoliath is well-placed for another title run in 2024 and no doubt will continue to attract big names in search of greener pastures. 

43. New England Free Jacks | United States | MLR

Winning is a habit, and the Free Jacks are dedicated to this habit! 

Retaining their title in 2024, the Free Jacks, buoyed by several Canadian and USA internationals, were masters at timing their run. 

Finishing the regular season in third position, New England claimed back-to-back one-score wins in the quarterfinals and semifinals, before comprehensively downing Seattle in the final. 

Leading this multicultural squad was former Blue Bulls scrumhalf Scott Mathie, who has since departed for a role as Edinburgh’s attack coach. 

Taking over from the South African next season will be New Zealander Ryan Martin, who returns for his second stint as Free Jacks head coach. During the past two seasons Martin has worked with the Toyota Verblitz club in Japan’s Top League as their assistant coach for attack and backs under World Cup-winning coach and director of rugby, Steve Hansen. 

Bringing back a coach the club is familiar with should ensure continuity as the Free Jacks chase an elusive threepeat.

42. Saitama Wild Knights | Japan | Japan League One

Nipped at the final hurdle, the Wild Knights finished the regular season with a 16-0 record and entered the playoffs as hot favorites. 

Founded in 1960 by alumni of the Kumagai Industrial School and workers of the Tokyo Sanyo corporation, the club initially competed as an amateur side. 

Etching itself into the history books in the 2007-2008 season, the club became the first team to go unbeaten throughout a league season. 

Now home to double Rugby World Cup-winning stars Damian De Allende and Lood de Jager, as well as Wallabies star Marika Koroibete, the Wild Knights will enter next season once again as one of the favorites to add to their 2022 Top League title. 

41. Brave Lupus Tokyo | Japan | Japan League One

Crowned the Emperors of Japanese Rugby last season, the Brave Lupus parlayed a second-place finish on the combined overall season table into a strong playoff run. 

The team was directed around the park by All Blacks stars Richie Mo’unga and Shannon Frizzell, and their marquee signings also included iconic Japanese captain Michael Leitch. 

Combining these star signings with homegrown talent proved to be the perfect formula for the Brave Lupus, who claimed their first top league title since 2010 with a scintillating 24-20 win over the Saitama Wild Knights in the final.

40. Cardiff Rugby | Wales | URC

The team is a far cry from the great Cardiff sides of the mid 2000s and the team that won the 2017-2018 EPCR Challenge Cup in terms of renowned star players, but there are shoots of positivity to which Welsh capital side can cling. 

In the backline, Ellis Bevan, Mason Grady, Cameron Winnett and Ben Thomas are burgeoning internationals, while Josh Adams brings much-needed experience. 

Pulling the strings for the backline, Callum Sheedy will present Tinus de Beer with some much-needed competition at fly-half, as he looks to resurrect his international career.  

Up front, Keiron Assiratti, Ed Byrne, Corey Domachowski, Evan Lloyd and Efan Daniels are solid front-row options. 

Finally, the back five of the scrum - Teddy Williams is the standout secondrow. while the back row has some classy operators in Talupe Faletau, Thomas Young and Alex Mann, with the uber-exciting Mackenzie Martin being touted as a future international star. 

All in all, fans can expect Cardiff to be significantly better in the 2024-2025 season.

39. Connacht Rugby | Ireland | URC

From the brink of being disbanded to a Pro 12 title in the 2015-2016 season and consistent soirees into the Investec Champions Cup, Ireland’s western province is many people’s second team. 

Renowned for their style of play, which over the past decade has been to ‘have a crack,’ Connacht is a team built on developing young players, many of whom have become superstars. Names such as Bundee Aki, Mack Hansen, Finlay Bealham, Robbie Henshaw (now with Leinster) are four of Connacht’s finest in the professional era. 

The biggest challenge for the side simply is depth of quality players with the ever-increasing season making it a challenge for them to compete on all fronts consistently. 

This aside, head coach Pete Wilkins has enough quality to challenge any team in the BKT URC when his squad is fit and firing. 

38. Edinburgh Rugby | Scotland | URC

Slipping behind its cross-country rival Glasgow, the Scottish capital side remains a big supplier of players to the national team, with a sprinkling of internationals from other nations. 

In a similar vein to Connacht, Edinburgh has the players to challenge just about any team in the URC but has found it difficult to be consistent across the season. 

When on form, the electric talents of Ben Healy, Duhan van der Merwe, Darcy Graham and Emiliano Boffelli spring into action and can rack up a serious score in a hurry.

37. Emirates Lions | South Africa | URC

South African Rugby’s fourth side in the URC is a tick behind its three rivals, and this shows across a long season. 

Yet, heading into the new season, there is a renewed optimism for the Johannesburg based side that has several young players with international quality coming through its system. 

Players such as Morne van den Berg, Quan Horn, Ruan Venter and Edwill van der Merwe are now Springboks who will inspire their teammates to push on to the next level. 

Built on a gameplan that revolves around physicality and pace, the Lions are a darkhorse for a top-8 spot in the 2024-2025 season. Once there, it would take a brave gambler to bet against them causing an upset.

36. Lyon | France | Top 14

A Top 14 yoyo club, Lyon is unlike just about any club in professional rugby with its ability to enjoy a meteoric run one season, before spluttering the next. 

Stacked with international players, Lyon in 2024 is, on paper, a squad capable of challenging for a playoff berth if things break right for them, but the team certainly is not at the level of Toulouse, La Rochelle or Bordeaux. 

Should Lyon manage to complete a strong regular season and get home advantage, it could make a run at a first title since 1993. 

35. Pau | France | Top 14

Touchline to touchline, post to post and everything in between, Pau loves to use every inch of a rugby pitch, which in turn, sees the team's fans hit fever pitch-level excitement on a weekly basis. 

The one issue with this all-out attack approach is that Pau finished with 13 wins and 13 losses in the Top 14 last season, which left it one point out of the knockout rounds. 

Acknowledging that it probably doesn't have the power to handle the bigger teams in Top 14 on a weekly basis, Pau likely will look to run opponents off the park once again next season, so if you are neutral and looking for a fun follow, you could do a lot worse than Section Paloise.

34. Gloucester Rugby | England | Gallagher Premiership

Last season’s Cup darling, Gloucester won all but one Cup match but finished with just five wins in the league to finish second from bottom. 

Characterized by star winger Louis Rees Zammit’s decision to depart rugby for the NFL, the west country club is too proud of an organization to continue its spluttering form. 

Given the quality of players in the cherry and whites’ squad, a major turnaround in form is not out of the realms of possibility.

33. Ospreys | Wales | URC

Welsh Rugby’s golden boys have enjoyed incredible success over the years, with some of the greatest players of the professional era plying their trade in Swansea. 

In recent years, things have been more challenging, as the wider issues affecting Welsh Rugby have hit all of the regions. 

Yet, from this rubble, foundations are being laid with some exceptionally talented youngsters dragging the team to URC quarterfinals last season. 

Under the tutelage of experienced head coach Toby Booth, expect the Ospreys to be the surprise package of the upcoming URC season. 

32. Hollywoodbets Sharks | South Africa | URC

Stacked to the gills with Rugby World Cup winners, ordinarily, the Sharks would rank higher on the list, but the cold hard truth is that the Durban-based side has been a major underachiever throughout its history. 

Never quite cracking a Super Rugby title, despite competing in four finals, and yet to make a URC semifinal, the Sharks remain pretenders until they prove it on the pitch. 

Heading into this season, the Sharks have recruited even more Springboks stars, with double World Cup-winning captain Siya Kolisi headlining the signings, alongside his international teammates Andre Esterhuizen and Trevor Nyakane. 

Away from the cutthroat nature of knockout rugby, the Sharks have played some mesmerizing rugby over the years and once again will enter the new season as the hipsters’ favorite for a title. 

31. Crusaders | New Zealand | Super Rugby

Before the cries of blasphemy begin, please let’s clarify this is a list ranking where teams are in 2024. 

Rewind a year, and the Crusaders would be the top Southern Hemisphere, but following the club's major fall from grace, the men from Christchurch are far from the team that won seven Super Rugby titles in a row. 

Gone are the pillars that held the sky from collapsing, with head coach Scott Robertson taking over the top job with the All Blacks, while chief on-field lieutenants Richie Mo’unga, Oli Jager, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku and Jack Goodhue all departed. 

This brain drain saw the Crusaders sink to an all-time stinker of a season in 2024, finishing ninth with just four wins. Yet, as the saying goes, form is temporary, while class is permanent, and given the intelligence within Canterbury Rugby, expect the Crusaders to be back. Until then, however, they are not a top side on our rankings. 

30. Fijian Drua | Fiji | Super Rugby

Playing a freedom and expression of joy that only a Fijian side can, the Drua are one of Super Rugby’s new boys, alongside Moana Pasifika. 

Despite being found just seven years ago and entering Super Rugby in 2022, the Drua already have made the quarterfinals in back-to-back seasons. 

Named after a traditional Fijian double canoe that served as warships in naval battles, the Drua play up to their name and refuse to back down to their more established rivals. 

In addition to being a professional club in their own right, the side serves as the perfect breeding ground for Fijian talent to gain top-level experience. 

This process was similar to Japan’s former Super Rugby side the Sunwolves and has yielded equal success, with Fiji making it to the Rugby World Cup quarterfinals in 2023.

29. Leicester Tigers | England | Gallagher Premiership

Roaring back into contention in 2024? That will be what Leicester fans will be hoping with a man who is no shrinking violet taking charge. Expectations are sky high for the English midlands club. 

Completing arguably the biggest coaching hire of the offseason, former Wallabies and Los Pumas head coach Michael Cheika is the man tasked with returning the Tigers to the top of the English and European rugby pyramid. 

Still just two years removed from their last Premiership title, the bones of the title-winning team still are there, with several impressive youngsters, namely England U20 captain Finn Carnduff, set to break into the first XV this year. 

While domestic success will be the key focus, the Tigers are historically a European powerhouse. 

This being said, having won their last title in 2002 and making their last final in 2009, the Tigers need a big season. This reputation needs a polish that only a deep playoff run will bring.

28. Clermont Auvergne | France | Top 14

Rugby’s daring-do-darlings always are one of the best watches in professional rugby, but all of their bluster the big dream of an Investec Champions Cup title eludes them. 

Securing Top 14 titles in 2010 and 2017 ensures that the trophy cabinet is not completely bare, but it is hardly the return the powerhouse club would’ve expected.  

Spearheading all of the greatest Clermont sides has been a brutal, but effective, pack that pulverizes its opponents before their physical backline shreds the turf out wide.  

Heading into this season, Clermont has the players to compete with the big powers of La Rochelle, Bordeaux and Toulouse.

27. Castres Olympique | France | Top 14

Five-time French champion Castres Olympique is building nicely as the team chases a first win since 2018 in the 2024-2025 season. 

Adding weight to the challenge is a squad comprising of several seasoned internationals from all corners of the globe. 

Similar to Seattle’s 12s, who roar on the Seahawks, Castre’s home supporters at Stade Pierre-Fabre create a hostile environment for visiting teams. This often can prove to be the difference and keeps the club as consistent contenders, which it will be once again in the 2024-2025 season. 

26. Bristol Bears | England | Gallagher Premiership

English Rugby’s big spenders continue to chase that elusive first Premiership title to go with their 2019-2020 EPCR Challenge Cup title. 

Built in the image of their head coach Pat Lam, the Bears play with a freedom of expression often leading to thrilling contests. Yet for all of their bluster, Lam’s men truly struggle when it gets to the crucible of a season. 

Despite leading Irish side Connacht Rugby to a Pro 12 title with far less resources, Lam’s collection of stars could never get over the line.

Now, years on from the peak of their powers, the Bears 2.0 enter the season without the pressure of having the highest-paid players in the Premiership. Instead, they have a squad of wily veterans, namely USA Eagles fly-half AJ MacGinty, England prop Ellis Genge and Samoan backrow Steven Luatua. This bedrock of players who’ve been there and done that, will be ensure the Bears are competitive once again this season.

25. Highlanders | New Zealand | Super Rugby

Supported by New Zealand’s most raucous students at the incredible Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin, the Highlanders play up to their fan’s energy. 

Scoring some of the best tries you will see, New Zealand’s often forgotten little brothers claimed their lone Super Rugby title in 2015. 

Since then six playoff appearances have come and gone without a title, yet the franchise has produced some exceptional All Blacks and has become a destination for a southern sojourn for internationals from other countries. 

Last season it was Welsh international Rhys Patchell and Argentine international Martín Bogado who followed in former England international James Haskell’s footsteps. 

24. Ulster Rugby | Ireland | URC

Putting to rest a tumultuous 2023-2024 season, there is plenty to be positive about for Irish Rugby’s northern province, as the team gears up for its first full season under head coach Richie Murphy. 

Buoyed by the enthusiasm of a young squad, Ulster is a dark horse heading into this year’s BKT United Rugby Championship.

Bringing with them a level of ‘je ne sais quoi’, the Ulstermen have potential to catch several teams off guard this year with Murphy’s highly technical and intricate game plan. 

Pulling the strings will be several former U20 Ireland players who starred under Murphy’s tutelage when he was the head coach of that program. This youthful exuberance will be backed up by several experienced internationals, such as Rob Herring, Iain Henderson, Jacob Stockdale and John Cooney. 

23. Racing 92 | France | Top 14

French Rugby’s ‘flash boys’ not only have to battle cross town rival Stade Francais for rugby supremacy, but also for style points. 

Playing in a classy light blue and white stripped jersey, the Parisians have become somewhat of a tiffany club in the Top 14. 

Attracting some of the best players from around the world has made the team a constant threat for silverware, but with just one Top 14 title since 1990, which came in 2016, the juice has not been worth the squeeze just yet for owner Jacky Lorenzetti. 

Shifting from the flamboyant Scotland international Finn Russell to former England captain Owen Farrell as their first choice fly-half represents a change in philosophy for Racing this year. 

Hands down one of the game’s greatest players, Farrell links up with his former national coach Stuart Lancaster in what should be one of the more fascinating campaigns to track this season.

22. Benetton | Italy | URC

The Italians are coming! 

Encapsulating the feel-good factor surrounding Italian Rugby as a whole, BKT URC side Benetton no longer is the whipping boy in rugby’s fastest-growing league. 

Instead, Benetton is a genuine title contender with a roster jampacked with internationals who will feel that last season’s quarterfinal spot was just the beginning. 

Bringing in a handful on highly rated recruits, namely Louis Lynagh and Matt Gallagher, the men from Treviso will look to replicate their incredible unbeaten run to last season but with more consistency in the second half of the season. 

Clearly these signings are what the coaching staff believes will allow for this consistency with the depth they will provide to an already stacked backline. 

Yet, for all of its flair out wide, it was Benetton’s execution in the forwards that made it a force to be reckoned with. 

Fans can expect this formula to be repeated once again this season, with Italian Rugby icon Marco Bortolami remaining as head coach.

21. Queensland Reds | Australia | Super Rugby

Australian Rugby’s heartland has produced some of the greatest players the rugby world has ever seen. Names such as Michael Lynagh, Chris Latham, Drew Mitchell, Will Genia and Tim Horan were amongst those who donned the maroon shirt. 

Thus, when one sees  the name Tom Lynagh in the starting lineup at fly-half, you take a second look. 

Now in an entirely new space, the Reds took a significant step forward in 2024 to finish the regular season in fifth position, before falling to eventual finalist, the Chiefs, in the quarterfinals. 

Operating under the experience of head coach Les Kiss, the Reds are an exciting organization going in the right direction. This in itself is a major boost for Australian Rugby as a whole, with the region being a hotbed for the best schoolboy rugby talent in Australia. 

For those looking to put some money on an outside bet in 2025, you certainly could do worse than taking a punt on the Queenslanders.

20. Exeter Chiefs | England | Gallagher Premiership

This is English Rugby’s blueprint for building a club from the ground up. 

Exeter’s rise through the ranks of professional rugby over the past 15 years has been nothing short of breathtaking. 

From winning English Rugby’s second division playoffs in 2009, the Chiefs would secure a place in the Premiership for the first time in 2010. 

Since then, the club has won two Premiership titles, as well as an Investec Champions Cup to place them among the top clubs in the professional game. 

Leading the club during this run has been director of rugby Rob Baxter, who along with a squad built on homegrown talent, went from English Rugby’s great unknown to a perennial contender. 

Now building toward Year 2 of a major rebuild under Baxter following the departure of several star players, the Chiefs once again will be playoff contenders this season.

19. Toulon | France | Top 14

Rugby’s Galácticos of the mid 2010s employed a video-game approach of simply buying all of the best players in the world in a bid to secure titles. 

Bank rolled by eccentric comic book billionaire Mourad Boudjellal, they brought together the single greatest squad ever seen on a rugby pitch. 

From English Rugby World Cup hero Johnny Wilkinson, Springboks World Cup winners Bakkies Botha, Bryan Habana and Juan Smith, Wallabies stars George Smith, Matt Giteau and, of course, All Blacks stars Ma’a Nonu and Liam Messam, the list goes on. 

If you were a world-class rugby player between 2009 and 2015, you likely played for Toulon.

18. Sale Sharks | England | Gallagher Premiership

Unrelenting physicality, the men in the north don’t mess around with their bone collecting style of play, creating a fearsome reputation throughout the Premiership. 

Branded as a band of brothers, the Sharks have two sets of fearsome twins in the backrow with Currys and Du Preez creating rugby’s real life spiderman gif with teams having to deal with both physicality and confusion! 

On a more serious note, Alex Sanderson has translated peak Saracens ruthless efficiently in defense with a pinpoint kicking game courtesy of fly-half George Ford. This pragmatic approach took the Sharks to third position on the table, and with the foundations firmly laid, the Manchester side feels set up to take another step forward in 2024-2025.

17. Chiefs | New Zealand | Super Rugby

Losing finalists in 2023 and 2024, the two-time Super Rugby champion Chiefs will be asking themselves, 'if not now, then when will we claim our third title?'  

On paper, the Chiefs have all of the ingredients to take a title, but perhaps it is a case of needing to toil with disappointment to take that final step in 2025. 

Concerningly, reports of their star playmaker Damian McKenzie departing New Zealand Rugby for the Top 14 continue to gather steam. Should the diminutive playmaker return, then the Chiefs will be a real threat once again. Should he depart, then the challenge will be significantly tougher. 

Whatever the outcome of McKenzie’s future, the cowbell ringing Hamilton fans will be backing their team to bag a home final and another title.

16. Stade Francais | France | Top 14

A rugby romantic’s fever dream, the Parisians ooze class and style, starting with their popping pink strip being matched by a devil-may-care attacking game. 

The team has produced some of the game’s all-time greats, from Christophe Dominici, Agustín Pichot, Sergio Parisse, Juan Martín Hernández, Diego Dominguez and current head coach Fabien Galthié to name a few. 

Winning the most matches in last season’s Top 14, Stade Francais finished second to Toulouse on the league table, before losing by an agonizing two points to Bordeaux-Begles in the semifinals. 

Restocking their playing ranks with some intriguing and exciting talent, uber-intelligent co-head coaches Laurent Labit and Karim Ghezal are building a superpower in the French capital. 

15. DHL Stormers | South Africa | URC

The BKT United Rugby Championship’s most successful franchise with back-to-back finals appearances, including winning the inaugural league tile, the Cape Townians are a force to be reckoned with. 

Taking a step back last season, the Stormers came unstuck on the road to eventual champion Glasgow. Despite this, their offseason has been boosted by the elevation of highly touted playmaker Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu from prospect to Springboks star. 

This, combined with fellow Bok fly-half Manie Libbok and the Springboks utility back could see John Dobson’s side have a three-headed monster in the attacking game later this season. 

Setting the platform for this trio of magicians is a rock solid pack littered with Springboks, with former captain Steven Kitshoff returning after just year away with Irish province Ulster. 

Kitshoff’s return means the Stormers will field an all-Springbok front row with Frans Malherbe and either Andre-Hugo Venter or Joseph Dweba. 

This platform, and Kitshoff’s leadership, could be just what the doctor ordered, as the men in blue and white stripes pursue a second URC title and a first Investec Champions Cup title.

14. Harlequins | England | Gallagher Premiership

Here comes the hotstepper(s)! 

Southwest London’s showmen are one of the most exhilarating teams to follow for a neutral. 

Spearheaded by the daring duo of Danny Care and Marcus Smith in the halfbacks, Quins will never die wondering, as they employ an all-out offensive game plan. This approach can either lead to greatness and titles or egg on their faces. Over the past few years, both results have unfolded. 

Winning their second Premiership title in the 2020-2021 season, before losing to archrival Saracens in the following year’s semifinals, Quins has been here there and everywhere on the Premiership table. 

Last season, a semifinal run in the Investec Champions Cup was offset by missing the semifinals in the Premiership in what was a strange season at the Twickenham Stoop. 

Nevertheless, Quins will enter this season fizzing with anticipation that if the team can shore up its defense and consistency, they have the playing potential to go all the way.

13. Saracens | England | Gallagher Premiership

English Rugby’s pantomime villains is the team everyone loves to hate. 

Whether it is their salary cap scandal, world-class squad, title wins or simply their swagger, Sarries have caught the ire of many a rugby fan over the years. Yet as the saying goes, ‘ they hate us, cause they ain’t us,’ a mantra the wolfpack no doubt employs behind closed doors. 

Home to stars from around the globe, Saracens was English Rugby’s elite team throughout the 2010s and feels destined to once again dine at the top table this season. 

Despite losing talismanic captain in Owen Farrell, the North London side still has a top-quality squad, and in new fly-half recruit Fergus Burke, might just have a future Premiership breakout star. 

Outside of a change at No. 10, Saracens has quality across the board and once again is a genuine title contenders in the Premiership and could be a surprise package in the Investec Champions Cup.

12. Brumbies | Australia | Super Rugby

Australian Rugby’s pace setters, the Brumbies remain impervious to the firestorm going on around them down under. 

Shaking off the challenges that Australian Rugby currently faces, the men from Canberra are one of the top sides in Super Rugby and are the most likely team to break New Zealand’s title monopoly.  

Coached by Wallabies legend Stephen Larkham, the Brumbies play a highly intelligent and intricate game that remains true to the club’s proud roots. Parlaying his legacy as one of best to ever do it in the Brumbies jersey, Larkham runs a well-oiled and efficient club that remain the cream of the crop in Australian Rugby in 2024.

11. Vodacom Bulls | South Africa | URC

Losing a home final is never great, but it is especially poor when you defeated the best team in the league in the semifinals. 

Already established as the URC’s bridesmaids, the Bulls have an incredible ability to get deep into the playoffs before coming up just short. Of course, the idea that they will eventually get over the line if they continue to push deep into competitions is completely valid. 

In head coach Jake White, the Bulls have a coach who knows what it takes to win at the top level, as his 2007 Rugby World Cup winners medal attests to, but it is fair to say this stacked Bulls squad has underperformed. 

Arguably the most damaging outcome from last season was the dispelling of ‘The Loftus Factor,’ which at one point was one of the most feared grounds in the league. Yet, in addition to their final loss to Glasgow, the Bulls were thumped at home by Munster, with both clubs seemingly cracking the code to mitigate the effect of the high-altitude conditions. 

To spin a more positive yarn, the Bulls have one of the deepest and most impressive squads in the URC with several top-line and emerging Springboks players to call upon. 

This quality will ensure that they are in the playoffs once again this season, which will give them one of those famed ‘cracks’ at the title.

10. Bath Rugby | England | Gallagher Premiership

Coming agonizingly close to a first Premiership title since 1996, Bath overcame an early red card to give eventual champion Northampton all it could handle. 

Across the board, Bath has top-quality operators in every position and will be one of the outside bets in the Investec Champions Cup to go along with being one of the favorites in the Premiership. 

Starting up front, Bath has arguably the best pack in the Premiership heading into the new season, which lays the perfect platform for an electric halfback pairing of Ben Spencer and Finn Russell. 

Outside this duo, center Ollie Lawrence is on the verge of being considered a top-3 talent in the world at his position, while Cameron Redpath is an ascending talent alongside him. 

In the wide channels, there are threats everywhere, with Bath having one of the more formidable wing pairings in Joe Cokanasiga and Will Muir. 

In terms of style, there are few secrets about how head coach Johann van Graan wants his side to play, which is reflected in the powerhouse players the West Country team continues to recruit. 

9. Hurricanes | New Zealand | Super Rugby

Dropping the proverbial golden goose of locking in a home playoff run at the semifinal stage to what was in all reality an average Chiefs side, the Hurricanes will enter the 2025 competition seething about could’ve been. 

Taking the honor of topping the table following a superb regular season run, the All Blacks-laden side should be one of the favorites for success next season. 

Blessed with threats all over the park, the Hurricanes ability to physically overwhelm their opponents with tempo and clinical execution makes them one of the tougher teams for which opponents need to prepare. 

One major area of concern for them next season will be the absence of superstar captain Jordie Barrett, who will be linking up with Irish side Leinster on a six-month contract, making him unavailable for the full Super Rugby campaign. 

Despite this, the Hurricanes have some of the best young talent in New Zealand Rugby to call upon, and as has been the case since the dawn of time, a new superstar almost certainly will emerge from this pile.

8. Munster Rugby | Ireland | URC

From heroes to zeroes in one fell swoop. Of course this is far too harsh for the former BKT URC champions, who fell at home to eventual champions, the Glasgow Warriors, in last season’s semifinals. 

Putting aside their injury-ravaged Investec Champions Cup run for a moment, Graham Rowntree’s side likely was the most frustrated team in European club rugby last season. 

Letting slip a golden opportunity to host a URC final, in which they would’ve been red hot favorites to win, was inexcusable, even if the loss was to the eventual champions. In simple terms, they did not show up when it was needed most, as they looked lethargic, despite having not lost at that point in the league since in 2024. 

This disappointment, combined with a limp exit from an Investec Champions Cup, where they were heavy favorites to win the pool, will have Rowntree’s men chomping at the bit to right the wrongs of a season ago. 

7. La Rochelle | France | Top 14

Knocked from their perch atop Mount Everest last season, the back-to-back Investec Champions Cup winners came up short in both their Cup defense and league campaign. 

Ultimately, a slight regression to move forward always felt on the cards for Ronan O’Gara’s side, which has been consistently excellent over the past five seasons. 

Taking steps to regain its status as the big dog in European Rugby, the Atlantic coast side has pillaged rival Racing 92 for one of French Rugby’s brightest talents in scrumhalf Nolann Le Gerrac, who along with French U20 star Hugo Reus, feel destined to be the next great Top 14 halfback pairing to challenge Toulouse and Bordeaux. 

For this to happen, they will need to displace the incumbent pairing of Tawera Kerr Barlow and Antoine Hastoy, as well as their backups, plus Teddy Iribaren and Ihaia West, who also have plenty of credit in the bank. 

Elsewhere, the squad is equally as stacked with talent in just about every position, which will ensure they remain contenders into the dwindling hours of the season. 

6. Glasgow Warriors | Scotland | URC

Ensuring that the first three seasons of the URC had different winners from three nations, the Warriors enjoyed a magic carpet ride to the title last season. 

In a similar vein to Munster, which won the title in the 2022-2023 season, the challenge for the Warriors will be kicking on to new heights this season. 

Adding Scottish international fly-half Adam Hastings brings some much-needed depth to the crucial playmaking role in what was arguably one of the key signings across the URC this offseason. 

On paper, there is little reason to believe Franco Smith’s side won’t get better this season, which it will need to do to be considered as one of the top-5 sides in the world. 

5. Blues | New Zealand | Super Rugby

The 2024 Super Rugby champions were a throwback to the golden age of Blues Rugby with their incisive attacking game being complimented by a hard-hitting forward pack. 

Capable of fielding a team that is stacked with All Blacks, the Blues have taken the Crusaders mantle as the team to beat in New Zealand Rugby. 

Despite being edged by a single point on the overall table by the Hurricanes, the Blues went on to shred the Chiefs in one of the most one-sided finals you will see in professional rugby. 

Unfortunately for the rest of the competition, they look likely to be even better in 2025 with superstar Beauden Barrett returning to the fold. 

4. Union Bordeaux Begles | France | Top 14

Just how it recovers from the biggest defeat in a Top 14 final in the league’s history will define Bordeaux in the 2024-2025 season. 

Should the team park the thumping at the hands of Toulouse and rediscover its attacking prowess, then Bordeaux once again will be a key contender for both the Top 14 and Investec Champions Cup. 

Outside of Antoine Dupont and possibly Romain Ntamack, Bordeaux is the bulk supplier of the French backline. 

On the wings, there's the two French international first-choice operators in Damian Penaud and Louis Bielle-Biarrey, who are two of the very best in the world at the moment. 

Inside this pair, Maxime Lucu and Mathieu Jalibert are top-quality halfbacks, while their center combinations will be the best in the league this season. 

Add in the signing of Ireland international Joey Carbery as a playmaking fly-half/fullback, and there is no reason to believe Bordeaux won’t be the top points scorer in the 2024-2025 Top 14. 

3. Northampton Saints | England | Gallagher Premiership 

Back where they belong at the pointy end of English Rugby, the reigning Gallagher Premiership champions enter the new season as red hot favorites to retain their title. 

Supplying the bulk of the English backline at the moment, the Saints are without a doubt the most exciting team in the Premiership and have enough quality to be a serious contender in the Investec Champions Cup once again this season. 

Defined by their explosive ball carriers and top line pace, Northampton is close to uncontainable at times, which sees the Saints put up cricket scores on teams if they are even a notch off their best. 

2. Leinster Rugby | Ireland | URC

Rugby’s most consistently brilliant team has endured a torrid run at the business end of seasons in recent years. 

Three consecutive Investec Champions Cup final losses, combined with three BKT United Rugby Championship semifinal losses, has been a bitter pill to swallow for the Dubliners. 

Yet, from the rubble of disappointment, this squad remains in pole position to once again contend for silverware in the 2024-2025 season. 

Putting out what essentially is the Irish squad with a sprinkling of international stars, Leinster once again is the team to beat in the BKT URC.  

1. Toulouse | France | Top 14

Back-to-back Top 14 titles to go with their two Investec Champions Cup titles in the past four seasons says it all. 

Combining guile with brawn, the French club is home to the best player in the world in scrumhalf Antoine Dupont, who spearheads a team stacked to the gills with internationals. 

Capable of winning in any which way depending on the opposition, head coach Ugo Mola is directing the future of a side will likely will go down as one, of if not the best, teams in the history of club rugby.

Here Are A Few More Things To Know About Rugby On FloRugby:

When Does The Top 14 Season Begin And When Is The Top 14 Final?

Top 14 season began Sept. 7 and is streaming live in the United States on FloRugby. The Top 14 final is scheduled for June 28, 2025. 

When Does The URC Season Begin And When Is The URC Grand Final?

Week 1 of the United Rugby Championship season begins Sept. 20. The URC quarterfinals will start May 30, 2025, and the URC Grand Final is scheduled for June 14, 2025. 

When Does The 2024-2025  Investec Champions Cup Begin? When Is The Champions Cup Final?

The Investec Champions Cup and the EPCR Challenge Cup begin on Dec. 6, and the four-round pool-play action ends Jan. 19, 2025. The Round of 16 starts April 4, while the quarterfinals are April 11-13, and the semifinals are May 2-4. 

The EPCR Championships weekend is at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. There are championship games on May 23 (EPCR Challenge Cup) and May 24 (Investec Champions Cup). 

What Are The Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup Pools?

Here are the pools. 

Investec Champions Cup: 

• Toulouse (Stade Toulousain)
• Bordeaux-Bègles (Union Bordeaux-Bègles)
• Hollywoodbets Sharks
• Exeter Chiefs
• Leicester Tigers
• Ulster Rugby

Pool 2:

• Leinster Rugby
• Clermont Auvergne (ASM Clermont Auvergne)
• La Rochelle (Stade Rochelais)
• Bristol Bears
• Benetton Rugby
• Bath Rugby

Pool 3:

• Northampton Saints
• Munster Rugby
• Vodacom Bulls
• Stade Français Paris
• Saracens
• Castres Olympique

Pool 4:

• Glasgow Warriors
• Racing 92
• Sale Sharks
• DHL Stormers
• Toulon (RC Toulon)
• Harlequins

EPCR Challenge Cup

Pool 1:

• Cardiff Rugby
• Connacht Rugby
• Toyota Cheetahs
• Perpignan (USAP)
• Lyon Olympique Universitaire (Lyon O.U.)
• Zebre Parma

Pool 2:

• Montpellier Hérault Rugby
• Pau (Section Paloise)
• Newcastle Falcons
• Dragons RFC
• Emirates Lions
• Ospreys

Pool 3:

• RC Vannes
• Black Lion
• Bayonne (Aviron Bayonnais)
• Scarlets
• Edinburgh Rugby
• Gloucester Rugby

When Does The Super Rugby Season Start?

The 2025 season will begin on Feb. 14, 2025. The season has been extended to 16 rounds and team will play 14 regular season matches. Here are some of the changes: 

• 11 teams competing as follows; ACT Brumbies, Blues, Chiefs, Crusaders, Fijian Drua, Highlanders, Hurricanes, Moana Pasifika, NSW Waratahs, Queensland Reds and Western Force
• Teams will play 14 regular season matches, consisting of seven home games and seven away games, and be allocated two byes.
• Teams will play four teams twice, with a focus on rivalry match-ups, and the six remaining teams once
• The top six teams on the table at the end of the regular season will qualify for the three-week Finals Series
• In week one of the Finals Series, Qualifying Finals will be 1 v 6, 2 v 5 and 3 v 4 with the higher-seeded teams to host
• The three winners of the Qualifying Finals will progress to the Semi-Finals
• They will be joined by the highest-seeded losing team (the ‘lucky loser’), who will drop one seeding for the Semi-Final draw
• Semi-Finals will be 1 v 4 and 2 v 3 with the higher-seeded teams to host
• The two winners of the Semi-Finals will progress to the Grand Final, which will be hosted by the higher-seeded team

Which Professional Rugby Clubs Won Championships in 2023-2024

• Investec Champions Cup: Toulouse
• EPCR Challenge Cup: Hollywoodbets Sharks
• Top 14: Toulouse 
• United Rugby Championship: Glasgow Warriors
• Super Rugby: Blues
• Gallagher Cup Premiership: Northampton Saints
• Japan League One: Brave Lupus Tokyo

How To Watch Rugby Matches In the United States On FloRugby

FloRugby and FloSports also are the U.S. home to: 

• Investec Champions Cup
• EPCR Challenge Cup
• Currie Cup
• Top 14
• Super Rugby
• And more

FloRugby also is home to match archives and match replays. 

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