Chiefs still the last English team to lift Champions Cup

UT aside the controversies of red or yellow cards, park your opinions on the current scrummage laws, and leave rocket science judgments of the breakdown to the I!MOs Magic Eye for a moment.

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Take a time to remind yourself that rugby union is the world’s finest team sport... Probably. Last weekend delivered three big rugby events both on and off the field, and we have a Mardi Gras Celebration at Sandy Park this coming Saturday to look forward to.

Yes, it will soon be time for suntan oil, sandy beaches and barbeques as rugby moves to the business end of the season.

For openers this week, Bath clinched their first European title in 17 years with a commanding 37-12 victory over Lyon in the Challenge Cup final in Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on Friday.

The game marks the start of what could be an era-defining three weeks for Bath, who are still in line for treble honours. As our South West neighbours it would be churlish not to wish them well.

On Saturday, Northampton Saints gave it everything in the European Champions Cup Final but fell just short losing by 28-20 to Bordeaux.

In truth, the growing might of France's big clubs suggests European silverware could well remain over the channel for some years to come.

Credit must go to Saints, who survived early injuries and yellow cards to go toe to toe with Bordeaux in a pulsating game worthy of any cup final - but the strength of the Begles’ budget and bench probably won the day.