It’s a long time ago now, but waaaaay back at the start of the 2016/17 Top 14 season, ESPN asked me to put together a club-by-club guide to the campaign. And, as it was an Olympic year, they asked for a five-ring twist. This is what happened next…
On Friday, June 24, Racing 92 beat Toulon in Barcelona to lift the 2015-16 Top 14 trophy. On Saturday — just 57 days later — they begin the defence of their title at Bordeaux as the new season kicks off.
Here, we run the rule over the clubs and the players. And, as it’s an Olympic year, we’ve put a Rio twist on things.
James Harrington: Freelance sports journalist 