Not even the Bristol drizzle was enough to cool the reigning champions’ ardour. On Sunday, Union Bordeaux-Bègles completed their European stroll with a bonus-point win at the Bears (15-27). A victory signed Louis Bielle-Biarrey : the wing scored an electric hat-trick and settled the matter for good on the hooter just as the English side were becoming threatening.

But beyond the scoreline, it is the accounting that makes your head spin. With this latest full house (20/20), the Gironde side become the first team in history to string together two consecutive perfect pool stages. The maths are quickly done: since the autumn of 2024, UBB have hoovered up 40 points out of a possible 40. Total dominance for Yannick Bru’s men, who have now racked up an eighth straight bonus-point win at this stage of the competition.

The rest have been warned: to topple the king, you will have to get up very early indeed.