English fans may have been alarmed

by recent european results, but in terms of the bigger picture there is a healthy balance to the Champions Cup standings with two pool games remaining.

not so long ago there were fears of an Anglo-French duopoly, but instead the irish sides are on a roll and the Ospreys and scarlets are threatening to extend the Welsh challenge into the knockout stages, which would help freshen up the tournament. some years, there has been too much inevitability — now there is ample intrigue.