Now that the opening salvo of the 2025-26 Champions Cup concluded, we delve into the major talking points emerging from the games.
Gallic supremacy has defined the competition in the past few campaigns, with the previous five victors all calling home France's Top 14. However, the first weekend included a number of convincing performances from potential contenders.
Bordeaux Look Set to Go Back-to-Back
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in the competition last season, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the final.
Currently sitting sixth in the French league, some have suggested about their capacity to retain the title this season. But, in the first round, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are fully equipped of winning back-to-back titles with a high-scoring triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Faced with a tough assignment at the Bulls' fortress against a strong Bulls side featuring stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the break.
But, true to their champion status, they displayed their class in the second period, roaring back to seal a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls to zero after the interval.
Les Bleus stars aces Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any outfit with that pair on the flanks is a threat against any competition.
Formidable Bath Look Capable of Going the Distance
Bath's only triumph in this competition dates back almost a generation ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have perhaps not been better equipped to win it again.
The current English champions are top of the pile at home after six games and will be looking to carry that momentum into the Champions Cup – on the back of a shocking early departure last year.
Johann van Graan's side looked a highly composed and balanced unit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are among the leaders in the United Rugby Championship.
They blend attacking verve – earning the extra point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, keeping their visitors at bay when they threatened a dramatic comeback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and a deep squad throughout the team, they must be viewed as genuine challengers for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the group stage last season was in the second round, an heartbreaking 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a squad players.
Having secured a league trophy under their belt and setting the pace in England once more, Van Graan could be inclined to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Significant Setback
There are strong teams everywhere you look, but their section seems destined to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the existing pool system, a lot is emphasized regarding victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the opening night might just prove crucial.
The team from Scotland were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries during the beginning of the second half gave them a all-important five points.
By achieving this, they gave their hopes of advancing a significant early boost and, by contrast, dealt a damaging defeat to the Sharks.
With Toulouse – commanding 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, in the same section, we should be in for many thrilling contests.
And what of Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They delivered one of their top continental showings in recent memory to stun three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Is Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Puzzle?
Should you pick one side you would fancy to be there or thereabouts at the sharp end of the season in Europe, it would be European giants Leinster.
But in the last few years it has ended in disappointment, as they have shown great potential but not won the trophy. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites last season after backing up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was thought that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the key player to secure the title, but they were caught out and suffered a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi.
Now they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a try assist on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Appear Ready to Step Up
Since the South African sides entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the last eight, and the previous season none of them managed to make it out of the pool phase, with several weakened teams selected.
Could this be the season that turns around? The Stormers are first in the URC and started their European campaign with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were promising too, with the squad and staff talking about their ambition, and the players such as stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the opening victory.
The Stormers look the best bet for a team from South Africa to go deep into the tournament, although do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost this weekend but did play the French powerhouses respectively.
Northampton and Pau Deliver a Classic Encounter
There were several candidates for match of the round, and this one was among the best.
Pau have been having a outstanding season, spearheaded by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are currently second in the Top 14 and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
