With the initial matches of the 2025-26 Champions Cup concluded, we explore the primary lessons highlighted by the weekend's action.
French dominance has ruled the roost in recent years, with the last five champions all representing France's Top 14. Yet, the opening round included a number of impressive wins from new rivals.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Defend Their Title
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in the competition a year ago, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the final.
Positioned sixth in the Top 14, questions have been asked about their ability to repeat the accomplishment this season. But, in their opener, Bordeaux sent a message that they are more than capable of securing another trophy with a points-laden triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Faced with a difficult tie at a hostile venue against a formidable Bulls side featuring internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at half-time.
But, demonstrating their pedigree, they unleashed their power in the final 40 minutes, storming back to seal a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls scoreless after the break.
France international machines Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any side with those two on the wings is a threat against any opponent.
Powerful Bath Appear Equipped of A Deep Run
Bath's sole success in Europe was almost a generation ago. Since that time, they have arguably not been more strongly positioned to win it again.
The defending English Premiership champions are top of the pile domestically after six games and will be looking to transfer that success into Europe – particularly following a unexpected elimination in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's side looked a highly composed and balanced unit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are third in the Celtic league.
They blend offensive flair – securing the try-scoring point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, keeping their guests at bay when they looked like mounting a fightback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and strength in depth across the roster, they must be viewed as genuine challengers for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the group stage a year ago occurred in the next fixture, an heartbreaking 22-21 loss at Benetton with a squad players.
Now with a league trophy in their history and leading the home league, Van Graan may feel able to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Significant Setback
There are quality outfits throughout the draw, but Pool One seems destined to be one of the tightest.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is made about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the opening night might just be pivotal.
The Scottish side were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries early in the second period gave them a precious maximum haul.
With this result, they gave their hopes of advancing a major lift and, by contrast, inflicted a hefty blow to the Sharks.
With the French giants – dominant 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, sharing the group, we can expect plenty of fireworks.
And what of Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They produced one of their finest displays in Europe in a long time to surprise three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Could Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Quest?
If there's one team you would predict to be there or thereabouts at the sharp end of the Champions Cup, it would be European giants Leinster.
However in recent campaigns it has not worked out, as they have promised much but fallen short. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat the previous campaign after following 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 stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This year they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a scoring pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Prepared to Challenge
Ever since the teams from South Africa became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and last year none of them managed to make it out of the group stage, with often squads not at full strength fielded.
Will this be the campaign that is different? The Stormers are top of the URC and kicked off their continental journey with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were promising too, with players and coaches talking about their goals, and the caliber of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the round-one win.
The Stormers appear the strongest candidate for a South African side to progress far in the tournament, yet do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in the opening round but did meet the French powerhouses respectively.
Northampton and Pau Produce a Classic Encounter
There were several candidates for game of the weekend, and this one was among the best.
Pau have been enjoying a outstanding campaign, guided by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are currently runner-up in the French league and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
