Some Premiership champions lift the trophy. Others make you wonder how anyone managed to score against them.
From Leicester’s early 2000s dominance to Saracens’ relentless winning machine and Wasps’ knack for turning up on the biggest stage, English club rugby has produced some remarkable sides.
But which title-winning team was the best of the lot?
We’ve ranked our top 10, weighing up league form, big-match performances and the occasional European triumph. Let the arguments begin.
1. Leicester Tigers – 2001/02
Leicester’s fourth consecutive league title capped a remarkable period of dominance. They won 18 of 22 matches, finishing 14 points clear, and retained the Heineken Cup. Conceding just 19 league tries underlined their outstanding defensive discipline.
Martin Johnson and Neil Back provided formidable leadership up front, while Austin Healey and Geordan Murphy brought attacking invention. Their blend of physical authority, tactical control and proven European pedigree earns them top spot.
2. Saracens – 2015/16
Saracens combined suffocating defence, pinpoint kicking and relentless physical pressure to secure their first Premiership and Champions Cup double.
Owen Farrell controlled proceedings, Maro Itoje excelled in the pack and the Vunipola brothers supplied power and skill. Having topped the league, they beat Exeter 28-20 in the final.
Their ability to dictate territory, force mistakes and convert pressure into points made them exceptionally difficult to beat.
3. Wasps – 2003/04
Wasps mastered the art of winning when it mattered, claiming both the Premiership and Heineken Cup under Warren Gatland.
Lawrence Dallaglio’s leadership, Joe Worsley’s tackling and Josh Lewsey’s versatility gave them a formidable backbone. Their aggressive defence created opportunities to counterattack, while a gritty 10-6 victory over Bath in the Premiership final demonstrated their resolve.
Equally comfortable playing expansive rugby or grinding out results, they were consistently outstanding big-game performers.
4. Leicester Tigers – 2000/01
Leicester’s third consecutive league title was built on a formidable pack and the creativity of Austin Healey and Geordan Murphy. Martin Johnson’s side won 18 of 22 league matches, adding the Zurich Championship play-off trophy and their first Heineken Cup.
Equally capable of overpowering opponents or unlocking defences, they paired domestic consistency with European success to establish themselves among Europe’s elite.
I put 2001/02 slightly higher for its greater league-winning margin and successful European defence.
5. Saracens – 2018/19
Potentially the most talented squad here. Owen Farrell and Maro Itoje from the 15/16 winning side remained but they also added the attacking quality of Alex Goode and Liam Williams.
Their comeback to beat Exeter 37-34 in the Premiership final completed another domestic and European double. Few champions could match their depth or composure under pressure.
However, salary-cap breaches during this period significantly tarnish their achievements and complicate comparisons with their rivals.
6. Exeter Chiefs – 2019/20
Rob Baxter’s project at its finest. Exeter’s close-range attack was brutally efficient, but Henry Slade, Stuart Hogg and Jack Nowell also offered considerable quality outside the forwards.
They topped the league and beat Wasps 19-13 in the final, completing a European and domestic double. Their ability to impose their game earns them this position.
7. Bath – 1995/96
Judged against their own era, this Bath team absolutely belongs. Brian Ashton’s side scored 68 tries in 18 league games, winning the league and cup double with an ambitious attacking approach.
Jeremy Guscott, Mike Catt and Phil de Glanville epitomised their quality. A narrow title-winning margin keeps them below the more dominant sides above.
8. Sale Sharks – 2005/06
An underrated champion. Philippe Saint-André combined a powerful pack with Charlie Hodgson’s distribution and Jason Robinson’s exceptional footwork.
Sale topped the regular-season table and then dismantled Leicester 45-20 in the final. That combination of season-long credibility and a commanding championship performance makes their inclusion an easy decision.
9. Bath – 2024/25
Johann van Graan built a formidable forward platform around which Finn Russell and Ben Spencer could dictate matches. Bath topped the table and beat Leicester 23-21, completing a treble with the Premiership Cup and Challenge Cup.
Impressive depth and tactical variety earn their place, although that treble carries less weight than a Champions Cup double.
10. Harlequins – 2011/12
My choice over Quins’ spectacular 2021 champions because of their stronger season-long credentials, which ended with them topping the table before beating Leicester 30-23 in the final.
Nick Evans’ decision-making, Chris Robshaw’s work rate and the Danny Care-led attacking tempo made this a beautifully balanced side with substance behind the entertainment.
Where to watch Premiership rugby this season
Could this season’s champions earn a place among the greats? Follow the 2026/27 Gallagher PREM campaign with TNT Sports, which is showing every match live. ITV will also broadcast seven games free-to-air, including the final, giving you plenty of opportunities to catch the action.
Looking to get your viewing sorted? Compare BT deals on SwitchGenius and explore your options, checking that your chosen TV package includes TNT Sports before signing up.
