Power Ranking Europe's Top 15 Club Teams After Weekend of September 26-28

With the European Champions Cup just three weeks from lift–off, the major players in Europe are still having a mixed bag of it as the season progresses.

In England and France, the leading sides are on a collision course for an October 17 clash between Saracens and Clermont Auvergne.

With both topping their respective tables and looking like strong contenders for top honours, it is a shame that Saracens haven’t shifted their opening group fixture against the French powerhouse to Wembley, where they would surely attract a bumper crowd.

While these two and other big hitters either side of the channel start to purr, the traditionally strong Irish sides are faltering.

Leinster were the only team to win out of the big three from the Emerald Isle, while the new-look Ospreys and a highly motivated Glasgow continue to set a furious pace.

Here is how they rank.

15. Ulster (Pro12)

The worst result of the weekend was recorded by the Red Hand Gang, who wilted in Italy, losing 13-6 to Zebre.

They were undone by Declan Fitzpatrick’s 10th-minute red card for punching but also suffered at the hands of the TMO, who ruled out Darren Cave’s score for obstruction by Tommy Bowe on Kelly Haimona.

A tough call, according to BBC.co.uk: "It looked a highly debatable call as Haimona looked in no position to make a tackle on Humphreys as he was barged into by Bowe."

14. Racing Metro (Top 14)

Racing were outgunned in Grenoble to leave them hovering outside the play-off places in France.

Just three points separate them from eighth-place Bayonne, but a home fixture against a mediocre Brive outfit provides an opportunity to keep the pressure on those above them.

The Paris derby in a fortnight’s time promises to be a spicy affair, with Stade Francais also mixing it at the right end of the table.

13. Munster (Pro12)

More misery at home for Anthony Foley.

The team the former No. 8 is presiding over bears no resemblance to the virtually unbeatable side at home he played for with such distinction.

The Ospreys were the latest side to lower the flags of the red army at Thomond Park, and Munster now face a trip to Leinster in a bid to re-ignite their season.

12. Grenoble (Top 14)

We welcome Grenoble to the rankings as the latest team through the revolving door that is fourth place in the Top 14 table.

The men from the Alps took down star-studded Racing Metro with a 27-25 win that was only made so close by a last-minute try for the visitors.

Bernard Jackman’s side are displaying all the gritty qualities the former Irish hooker exhibited during his own playing career and have won four from four on their own patch.

11. Connacht (Pro12)

The winning run came to an end for Connacht, who lost to another strong starter in Glasgow. Pat Lam’s side will aim to get back on track with a home game against Cardiff on Friday night.

The Blues are languishing in 10th spot with just one win to their name.

Connacht will be confident of maintaining that miserable record for Sam Warburton and Co. at one of the toughest venues in the league for visiting sides.

10. Bath (Premiership)

Bath were unable to build on their hammering of Leicester, finding the Tigers’ fellow Midlanders a much tougher nut to crack.

They won’t be the last team to go down at Franklin’s Gardens, and they almost came roaring back late in the piece, with the TMO ruling out a potentially match-leveling score.

Their focus now turns to the visit of Saracens on Friday night in a contest that will help shape the top four as we head into autumn.

9. Leinster (Pro12)

Leinster shook off defeat away to Connacht by handing out a 37-23 beating to Cardiff at the RDS.

After stretching away through the middle third of the contest, the champions let the Welshmen back into the game and led by just four points after 65 minutes.

But a try from Luke McGrath added a gloss to the result and kept Matt O’Connor’s side in touch with the leading group.

8. Exeter Chiefs (Premiership)

The Chiefs put Harlequins through the chipper at Sandy Park to continue their impressive start to the season.

Rob Baxter’s side were in front on the 12th minute and never looked back, with Gareth Steenson and Henry Slade kicking five penalties between them to add to tries from Thomas Waldrom, Jack Yeandle and Slade.

ESPNScrum reported Baxter’s post-match view that the true test of his side’s start is yet to come:

"

'The only way that we will know is when we get through our next two matches - away to Newcastle Falcons and home to London Irish,' Baxter said. "The proof of the importance of this fixture will depend on those two results.

'If we don't work hard, if we don't get things right now then this result, although great to collect some points at home and beat Harlequins, but ultimately through the course of the season it doesn't add up to very much.'

"

7. Stade Francais (Top 14)

Stade climbed back to third spot in the Top 14 table with a seven-try romp against La Rochelle.

They have five wins from seven so far and sit two points behind champions Toulon.

A visit to Toulouse this coming weekend would normally hold plenty of trepidation for the Parisians, but such is the desperate run of form Guy Noves’ men are in, the team from the capital will be looking for another highly prized away victory to add to the scalp of Toulon they claimed two weeks ago.

6. Glasgow (Pro12)

Gregor Townsend’s men continued their own fairytale start to the season by ending another as they dispatched Connacht 39-21.

British and Irish Lion Stuart helped himself to a double, allied to tries by Henry Pyrgos, Daniel van der Merwe and Mark Bennett.

We await to see if this form can translate into the headier atmosphere of the European Champions Cup, but so far it is looking good for the Glaswegians.

5. Ospreys (Pro12)

Ospreys upheld their winning start with their most significant result yet, a 19-14 win over Munster at Thomond Park.

Four penalties from the reliable boot of Dan Biggar sealed a famous win sparked by Jeff Hassler’s try in the opening stages. Simon Thomas of WalesOnline was certainly impressed:

"

Well, now we know these Ospreys are the real deal.

This trip to Thomond Park was always going to be the acid test for them and they passed it with flying colours to make it four wins out of four in the Pro12 this season.

It was a truly stirring display from Alun Wyn Jones’ men which was typified by their heroic defence in the final five minutes as Munster threw everything at them.

Their celebrations at the final whistle reflected just what a prize scalp this was and they now have to be seen as genuine title contenders.

"

4. Northampton Saints (Premiership)

After two weeks on the road, Saints returned to Franklin’s Gardens and put in a fine display for the first 50 minutes against in-form Bath to complete a 31-14 victory.

Tries from Calum Clark, Christian Day, George Pisi and a penalty try put them firmly in command.

But Jim Mallinder’s men were then made to sweat, as Bath scored 14 points in 16 second-half minutes to put them a converted score away from their hosts.

That Saints hung on will have pleased their coach and handed them a massive five points against a top four rival.

3. Saracens (Premiership)

Sarries had their home contest with Sale done and dusted by half-time.

They turned around 30-7 up and finished up 40-19 winners with tries from Alex Goode, Ernst Joubert, a penalty try and a score from Richard Barrington.

Mark McCall’s men have the only 100 per cent record in the English top flight, which will come under stiff examination from the lights at the Rec this Friday when they take on Bath.

2. Toulon (Top 14)

Bernard Laporte’s men have now amassed 93 points in two games. They walloped Montpellier at home 40-17 to return to second place in the table.

That followed a 53-13 win over Brive to suggest the champions are back in top gear.

A three-point half-time lead was turned into a drubbing with three second-half tries, Australian youngster James O’Connor grabbing two of them.

1. Clermont Auvergne (Top 14)

Oyonnax’s home has proved a graveyard for many a title contender since they entered the French top flight.

But Clermont Auvergne suffered no such mishap, as they continued their excellent start to the campaign.

Jamie Cudmore’s try ensured a 19-8 win that was more grind than glamour.

But you’ve got to play a number of different ways to win a title, and Clermont are showing they can mix it when they have to.