French fade away as Champions Cup heads to the business stage

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LILLE, FRANCE - JUNE 18: Reda Wardi, Kevin Gourdon of La Rochelle celebrate the victory following the Top 14 semifinal between La Rochelle (Stade Rochelais) and Racing 92 at Stade Pierre Mauroy on June 18, 2021 in Villeneuve d'Ascq near Lille, France. (Photo by John Berry/Getty Images)

By PAUL REES

The Heineken Champions Cup is still occasionally referred to as Europe, but the presence of three South African franchises has transformed the competition at the expense of France.
Last season, the Top 14 supplied seven of the teams in the last 16 but when the Champions Cup resumes at the end of March, only holders La Rochelle, Toulouse and Montpellier will be involved. The four bottom clubs in Pool A were all French.
Five Premiership clubs made it through, although only Bristol and Sale will be involved in the Challenge Cup. Eight United Rugby Championship sides are in the mi...

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