With the opening salvo of the 2025-26 Champions Cup concluded, we examine the major talking points highlighted by the fixtures.
Gallic supremacy has ruled the roost in recent years, with the past five winners all calling home France's elite division. Yet, the opening round showcased multiple statement victories from new challengers.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Defend Their Title
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in Europe a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the showpiece.
Currently sitting sixth in the French league, some have suggested about their chances of defending the accomplishment this year. However, in the first round, Bordeaux served notice that they are more than capable of securing consecutive championships with a points-laden away victory in South Africa.
Faced with a tough assignment at Loftus Versfeld against a strong Bulls side boasting internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the interval.
But, demonstrating their pedigree, they displayed their class in the second half, fighting back to seal a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls scoreless after the break.
Les Bleus stars aces Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any outfit with that pair on the edges stands a good chance against any competition.
Formidable Bath Appear Equipped of A Deep Run
Bath's sole success in this competition was almost three decades ago. In the years since, they have perhaps not been more prepared to add a second star.
The defending English Premiership champions are leading the way in the league after six games and will be hoping to translate that form into continental competition – especially after a surprise group-stage exit the previous season.
Johann van Graan's team looked a highly composed and polished team in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are highly placed in the Celtic league.
They marry offensive flair – sealing the bonus point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, holding their visitors at a distance when they threatened a fightback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and strength in depth all over the roster, they must be viewed as genuine challengers for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the pools last season came in the next fixture, an agonising 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a rotated team.
After winning a Premiership title in their history and leading in England once more, Van Graan might decide to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Significant Setback
The tournament contains quality outfits everywhere you look, but the first group appears poised 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 away victory at Sale on the opening night might just be pivotal.
The Glasgow Warriors were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries early in the second half gave them a valuable bonus-point win.
With this result, they provided their chances of progressing a positive start and, by contrast, handed a damaging defeat to the Sharks.
With Toulouse – dominant 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, in the same section, we are likely to see high-stakes drama.
And as for Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They turned in one of their best European performances in recent memory to shock heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Could Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Jigsaw?
When considering a contender you would fancy to be there or thereabouts at the later stages of the season in Europe, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
Yet in recent campaigns it has ended in disappointment, as they have promised much but not won the trophy. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites the previous campaign after backing up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was hoped that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to win the championship, but they were surprised and endured a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
Now they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a try assist on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Look Prepared to Challenge
From the moment the SA franchises entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the last eight, and last year not a single one succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with plenty of squads not at full strength used.
Is this the year that changes? The Stormers are top of the URC and started their European campaign with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were positive too, with the squad and staff expressing their aspirations, and the caliber of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the first match.
The Stormers appear the strongest candidate for a team from South Africa to progress far in the competition, yet don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat this weekend but did face Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Northampton and Pau Deliver a Thrilling Contest
There were a few contenders for match of the round, and this one was right up there.
Pau have been enjoying a superb campaign, led by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are currently second in the French championship and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
