Confirmation of what Munster fans have been telling us for years.
Another season of European Cup rugby is in the history books, writes Megan Joyce, but fans across the continent are already plotting for fresh adventures.
The 2015 Champions Cup final brought the effervescent, ultimately successful, RC Toulon and passionate ASM Clermont Auvergne together under Twickenham’s roof for a hotbed of noise, colour and ambience as the onion-decorated immersed themselves in England’s HQ. There was nothing laissez faire about the French fans.
Throughout this season’s competition, thousands of loyal followers turned out in their respective colours to grace stadiums across Europe in the hope of seeing their beloved through to the final.
We take a look at the supporters who have cemented themselves as Europe’s finest according to their total home bums-on-seats record in the history of their European Cup appearances.
10. RC Toulon – Stade Mayol
Total EPCR home attendance: 711,876 (15,820 capacity)
The 2015 Champions Cup victors may be a surprising choice at 10, given they are right at the top of European domination with a record third successive season in the bag.
The Galacticos of European rugby have faced criticism in the past for being out of touch with their French support as a result of the club’s fondness for overseas players.
However, If you’re taking a trip to the Stade Mayol, the infamous pre-match battle cry ‘Pilou-Pilou’ will set your heart racing to the beat of the red and black sea.
9. Edinburgh Rugby – Murrayfield Stadium
Total EPCR home attendance: 783,913 (67,144 capacity)
The Scottish faithful made it all the way to this season’s Challenge Cup Final at the Twickenham Stoop with Gloucester as their competitors. Kilts lined the terraces to support top try scorer Tim Visser & Co as the fans made the journey south in their droves.
The Scottish national side’s spark of promise in this year’s Six Nations has convinced every Braveheart that a breakthrough will come eventually. In the meantime, both Edinburgh Rugby and Glasgow Warriors are secure in passionate support.
8. Wasps RFC – Ricoh Arena
Total ECPR home attendance: 940,928 (32,609 capacity)
This year’s award for most loyal must go to the Wasps supporters. The former London based club asked questions of its fans earlier in the season when it relocated outside of the M25 to the Midlands.
From the days of North London’s Finchley Road to Queen’s Park Rangers’ Loftus Road and High Wycombe’s Adams Park, the Wasps fans have stayed true in times of financial despair and European success in 2003/4 and 2006/7.
A Wasp will travel to the ends of the earth (Coventry) and adopt two regions as its home.
7. Northampton Saints – Franklin’s Gardens
Total EPCR home attendance: 1,171,851 (13,591 capacity)
Last season’s Aviva Premiership champions have a fan base which hold the club close to their hearts and are always looking for ways to improve their support.
Saints provide a Supporters Liaison Group, which allows fans the opportunity to tackle issues, while also feeding back to the top. With a reputation of success across all competitions, both domestic and European (1999/2000), this is a club that maintains a strong relationship with its supporters come rain or shine.
6. Cardiff Blues – Cardiff Arms Park
Total EPCR home attendance: 1,224,411 (12,500 capacity)
The only Welsh representative in the top 10. As the capital’s base for developing rugby within the city, having formed only 12 years ago, the fans are rooted in their role as Cardiff’s rugby frontrunners and encouragers. The Blues also represent a large region of central and southern Wales, with their support ever expanding.
Similar to the fans, Arms Park combines the traditional with the modern. The stadium became the first in the Pro12 to install a plastic pitch, while the seating at the ground is renowned for its traditional style.
5. ASM Clermont Auvergne – Parc des Sports Marcel Michelin
Total EPCR home attendance: 1,297,558 (18,030 capacity)
This season’s runners up in the Champions Cup final are a neutral’s favourite and an opposition’s nightmare. The club’s reputation as having the most loyal and passionate fans in Europe would certainly put them top of the list, if it was based on who provides the most raucous atmosphere home and away.
The ‘yellow army’ are known for their infectious chants, ‘ici, ici, c’est Montferrand’ (here, here, it’s Montferrand), can be heard over any other team’s efforts.
These fans can influence the result of a game. They combine audacity with a romance for rugby like no other European club.
4. Ulster Rugby – Kingspan Stadium (formerly Ravenhill)
Total EPCR home attendance: 1,383,034 (18,196 capacity)
SUFTUM. ‘Stand up for the Ulster man.’ If you’ve ever visited Kingspan or Ravenhill, as most still refer to it; this chant will reassure you of your Belfast location and its passion for rugby.
Given the city’s history of sectarian divide, Ulster rugby is one of the many focal points the locals draw on to celebrate Belfast as Northern Ireland’s thriving capital.
A tempestuous relationship with the Champions Cup for the Ulstermen this year, given their standing in the Pro12, nevertheless the fans will always stand up and are among the most friendly and welcoming supporters on the European stage.
3. Leicester Tigers – Welford Road
Total EPCR home attendance: 2,200,585 (24,000, expanding to 30,000 capacity)
The rugby powerhouse of the East Midlands combines history with size and so do the fans. The club have been based at Welford Road since 1892, with the Tigers’ home ground holding the title of the largest purpose-built stadium in England.
Supporters are just as power and victory hungry as their ravenous forwards pack. A reputation for being the most successful English club and European side (back-to-back champions in 2000/01 and 2001/02), the Manchester United of English rugby provokes a level of expectation from its fans as well as a tiger’s roar.
2. Leinster Rugby – RDS Arena & Aviva Stadium
Total EPCR home attendance: 2,332,992 (RDS: 18,500, Aviva: 51,700 capacity)
The Kings of Irish rugby, both at club and European level, maintain a widespread fan base across the world, who are appreciative of their fluid running game and GAA induced skill-set. Although, a certain Brian O’Driscoll may have attracted all of the attention.
The Boys in Blue have, four times, been league champions and three times champions of Europe, with the fans enjoying domination at the top level. Yet another contender for the friendliest supporters, if it’s the perfect Guinness you’re after, the Dubliner’s will have it waiting for you at the bar.
1. Munster Rugby – Thomond Park
Total EPCR home attendance: 2,498,244 (25,600 capacity)
The Red Army are among the most emotional. No one will ever forget the 2005/6 Heineken Cup final where over 65,000 fans poured into the Millennium Stadium to see their side become European Champions for the first time after defeating Biarritz.
The floods of tears from Munster legends, Peter Stringer, Ronan O’Gara and Paul O’Connell resonated with the support in both the Cardiff stands and on the banks of the River Shannon.
Such an achievement lifted Munster to greatness and so too the fans, who have sustained a reputation as a force to be reckoned with at European level, especially at their treasured Thomond Park.
The ground was cemented as a world-class venue after Munster played the All Blacks in 2008 for a magical reopening night of the upgraded stadium. The game was witnessed by a national television audience of over one million and was the starting block for Thomond Park’s reputation as an amphitheatre feared by any visiting team.
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