With the opening salvo of the 2025-26 Champions Cup concluded, we examine the major talking points stemming from the games.
Gallic supremacy has been the narrative in recent seasons, with the previous five victors all representing France's Top 14. Yet, the opening round featured multiple statement victories from potential contenders.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Go Back-to-Back
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in Europe last season, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the final.
Positioned sixth in the domestic standings, questions have been asked about their ability to repeat the title this season. But, in round one, Bordeaux served notice that they are fully equipped of achieving another trophy with a high-scoring away victory in South Africa.
Faced with a difficult tie at Loftus Versfeld against a strong Bulls side including stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the break.
Yet, true to their champion status, they displayed their class in the final 40 minutes, fighting back to seal a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls scoreless after the halftime.
Les Bleus stars phenoms Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any outfit with those two on the flanks stands a good chance against any competition.
Powerful Bath Look Capable of A Deep Run
Bath's sole success in Europe dates back almost 30 years ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have probably never been more strongly positioned to secure another title.
The reigning domestic title-holders are top of the pile domestically after six games and will be aiming to carry that momentum into Europe – on the back of a unexpected elimination in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's team looked a very complete and balanced unit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are among the leaders in the Celtic league.
They blend attacking verve – sealing the bonus point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, holding their guests at bay when they attempted a dramatic comeback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and quality reserves throughout the roster, they must be viewed as credible threats for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the group stage the previous year was in the next fixture, an agonising 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a squad players.
Having secured a league trophy to their name and top domestically again, Van Graan could be inclined to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Give Sale a Significant Setback
There are strong teams in every pool, but their section looks set to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is made about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on Friday evening might just prove crucial.
The Glasgow Warriors were two scores behind after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a all-important maximum haul.
With this result, they gave their chances of progressing a significant early boost and, in turn, inflicted a damaging defeat to their opponents.
With the red and blacks – dominant 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, in the same section, we can expect many thrilling contests.
And as for Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They turned in one of their finest displays in Europe in a long time to surprise former champions Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Could Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Puzzle?
If there's one team you would expect to be there or thereabouts at the later stages of the Champions Cup, it would be European giants Leinster.
But in recent seasons it hasn't gone to plan, as they have been favourites but fallen short. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites last season after building on a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was thought that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to take them over the line, but they were caught out and experienced a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This year they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a scoring pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove 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 deepest run achieved is the last eight, and the previous season no South African side was able to progress out of the group stage, with several rotated sides fielded.
Could this be the season that is different? The Stormers are top of the URC and kicked off their continental journey with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on the opening night.
The reactions after the game were encouraging too, with individuals involved speaking of their aspirations, and the caliber of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the opening victory.
The Stormers appear the best bet for a team from South Africa to go deep into the competition, although do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in their first games but did face the French powerhouses respectively.
The English and French Sides Produce a Thrilling Contest
There were multiple possibilities for best fixture, and that clash was a leading candidate.
Pau have been having a outstanding campaign, led by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are presently second in the Top 14 and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
