European Cup record

Perennial bridesmaids, Racing have three times reached the final of Europe’s premier club competition but have yet to taste victory. Defeats to Saracens 21-9 (2016), Leinster Rugby 15-12 (2018) and Exeter Chiefs 31-27 (2020) sit on the club’s résumé.

Last season

A thrilling 26-22 home victory over Connacht Rugby coupled with a 49-7 romp at Harlequins earned Racing a Round of 16 berth. A 56-3 home drubbing of Edinburgh Rugby set up a quarter-final at Union Bordeaux Bègles, where they lost 24-21 to their TOP 14 rivals.

Director of rugby

Laurent Travers has been a member of the Racing coaching staff since 2013, before he took on the role of director of rugby in 2019. In his two seasons in sole charge, the French side have come third in the TOP14, as well as finishing runners-up in the 2020 Heineken Champions Cup final.

Key players

Racing boast a number of experienced French internationals alongside several overseas stars in their squad. Among the latter are Scotland fly-half Finn Russell, Argentina wing Juan Imhoff and Australia full-back Kurtley Beale. As for Les Bleus, they have centres Virimi Vakatawa and Gaël Fickou, wing Teddy Thomas, scrum-half Maxime Machenaud, hooker Camille Chat and flanker Bernard Le Roux.

Pool fixtures

Racing 92 have been drawn against 2000 European Cup winners Northampton Saints and welsh region Ospreys in Pool A. They open their schedule with a trip to the cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens before hosting Ospreys at Paris La Defense Arena. They then travel to the Swansea.com Stadium in round 3 before rounding off their Pool stage campaign by hosting Northampton.

As we continue our look at the runners and riders hoping to secure Heineken Champions Cup glory this season, it is time to turn our attention to TOP14 outfit Racing 92.