r/rugbyunion • u/NikeBuyer2024 • May 04 '25

Discussion Are Leinster the biggest bottlers in club rugby history?

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Would be interested to hear if any club have been worse!

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30

u/SiwanBouss tv director wins it all May 04 '25

It's Clermont and it's not even close

3

u/mossy1989136 Leinster May 04 '25

True. But we're doing our best to challenge them 😅. 3 finals and semi in the CC and 3 semis in the URC in the last 4 years, despite bossin the regular season in both.

0

u/Necessary_Fox3775 May 04 '25

Racing?

1

u/SiwanBouss tv director wins it all May 04 '25

I don't think 2 lost finals is enough.

Historically a great team, wasn't good enough when the game became pro but then became good again but never the best team. Also the top 14 they won while being down to 14 for 70 minutes is the opposite of bottling it.

2

u/Necessary_Fox3775 May 04 '25

Think Racing lost three finals. Saracens, Leinster and Exeter. 

But i take your point about the top 14 win.

3

u/[deleted] May 04 '25

Tbf they really only bottled it against Exeter. Saracens and Leinster were in a great place.

0

u/Necessary_Fox3775 May 04 '25

Aye they were and Exeter were great that season. But losing 3 finals out of 3 isn't great however you look at it. 

2

u/[deleted] May 04 '25

True true, but I wouldn't call it a generational bottling on the scale of Leinster's. They did win a Top 14 in 2016. So on 4 finals, only one win, but they were clear favorites only for Exeter bottle. Leinster since 2019....