With the opening salvo of the 2025-26 Champions Cup concluded, we delve into the key revelations emerging from the games.
Top 14 superiority has ruled the roost in recent seasons, with the previous five victors all calling home France's top flight. Yet, the first weekend featured multiple convincing performances from new challengers.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Retain Their Crown
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were imperious in Europe last season, dominating Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the grand finale.
Lying sixth in the French league, questions have been asked about their capacity to retain the feat this year. However, in the first round, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are fully equipped of securing another trophy with a points-laden triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Handed a challenging fixture at Loftus Versfeld against a formidable Bulls side boasting stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at half-time.
However, as champions do, they displayed their class in the final 40 minutes, storming back to secure a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls scoreless after the interval.
France international phenoms Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any outfit with such firepower on the edges is a threat against any competition.
Formidable Bath Look Capable of Going the Distance
Bath's only triumph in Europe came almost a generation ago. In the years since, they have perhaps not been better equipped to add a second star.
The reigning domestic title-holders are leading the way in the league after six games and will be hoping to translate that form into the Champions Cup – particularly following a shocking early departure the previous season.
Johann van Graan's men looked a highly composed and balanced unit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are highly placed in the United Rugby Championship.
They combine attacking verve – earning the try-scoring point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, keeping their visitors at bay when they looked like mounting a late rally.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and a deep squad throughout the roster, they must be viewed as genuine challengers for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the pools the previous year was in the second round, an heartbreaking 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a squad players.
Having secured a domestic championship in their history and setting the pace domestically again, Van Graan could be inclined to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Significant Setback
There are strong teams throughout the draw, but Pool One seems destined to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is made about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the opening night might just turn out to be vital.
The Glasgow Warriors were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a precious bonus-point win.
In doing so, they provided their hopes of advancing a major lift and, by contrast, inflicted a significant setback to Sale.
With Toulouse – dominant 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, sharing the group, we are likely to see plenty of fireworks.
And as for Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They delivered one of their best European performances in recent memory to stun heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for the Scottish game.
Is Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Puzzle?
When considering a contender you would predict to be challenging at the sharp end of the continental campaign, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
However in recent seasons it has ended in disappointment, as they have promised much but delivered little. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites a year ago after backing up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was believed that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the key player to take them over the line, but they were surprised and suffered a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This year they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a try assist on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Appear Ready to Step Up
Since the South African sides joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the last eight, and the previous season not a single one managed to make it out of the group stage, with plenty of weakened teams selected.
Is this the year that is different? The Stormers are first in the URC and kicked off their European campaign with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.
The reactions after the game were encouraging too, with players and coaches talking about their aspirations, and the likes of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the first match.
The Stormers look the strongest candidate for a South African side to have a long run in the tournament, yet write off the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in the opening round but did play formidable opponents respectively.
Northampton and Pau Deliver a Thrilling Contest
There were several candidates for match of the round, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was among the best.
Pau have been enjoying a brilliant season, spearheaded by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are currently in second place in the Top 14 and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
