The Champions Cup continues to please… or not. Now it is Ugo Mola’s turn to take aim at the (multi) continental competition. Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, the manager of Stade Toulousain – who face Saracens on Sunday – did not mince his words.

“The way some teams perceive the competition puzzles me“, he began. Before adding: “Lately, internationals have been rested, teams have written off away games. When you see the lengths gone to in domestic leagues to qualify and then the lack of interest from certain teams, it is sometimes awkward. But everyone does as they please“.

“The real H-Cup made me dream more”

It has to be said that the results in the current format are a long way from what we knew in the days of the much-missed H-Cup. Forty, 50, 60 points, teams that have no business being there… The real competition starts in the play-offs, let’s not kid ourselves.

Ugo Mola’s comments echo those made by Thomas Ramos a few weeks ago before the game against the South African Sharks. The France full-back did not hold back either.

“The real H-Cup, as I knew it as a child, made me dream more.” He pointed to the inconsistencies of the current 24-team system, where “there are teams who go for it, and others who don’t”, with squad rotation or players “sent on holiday“.

Never mind: Mola, Ramos and Toulouse will have to see off Saracens if they want an easier ride later in the Champions Cup. And do not worry, the six-time European champions will be going at the competition full tilt.