With the initial matches of the 2025-26 Champions Cup wrapped up, we examine the major talking points stemming from the fixtures.
Gallic supremacy has been the narrative in recent years, with the previous five victors all representing France's elite division. But, the opening round featured multiple impressive wins from emerging rivals.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Go Back-to-Back
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in this tournament last season, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the grand finale.
Lying sixth in the French league, questions have been asked about their chances of defending the accomplishment this year. However, in the first round, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are well-positioned of winning consecutive championships with a points-laden win on the road in South Africa.
Given a difficult tie at a hostile venue against a strong Bulls side including talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the break.
But, as champions do, they showed their quality in the second half, roaring back to secure a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls to zero after the halftime.
Les Bleus stars machines Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any side with such firepower on the edges has a chance against any competition.
Impressive Bath Look Capable of Challenging for the Title
Bath's sole success in Europe was almost a generation ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have arguably not been more strongly positioned to secure another title.
The current English champions are setting the pace domestically after six games and will be aiming to transfer that success into the Champions Cup – especially after a unexpected elimination the previous season.
Johann van Graan's men looked a extremely well-rounded and balanced unit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are highly placed in the URC.
They blend attacking verve – securing the try-scoring point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, restraining their guests at bay when they threatened a dramatic comeback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and strength in depth throughout the roster, they are surely credible threats for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's key result in the group stage a year ago came in the following week, an agonising 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a changed side.
Having secured a Premiership title to their name and leading domestically again, Van Graan might decide to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Tough Start
You will find quality outfits throughout the draw, but the first group seems destined to be one of the tightest.
In the existing pool system, a lot is made about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on Friday evening might just turn out to be vital.
The team from Scotland were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries during the beginning of the second half gave them a valuable five points.
With this result, they gave their chances of progressing a major lift and, in turn, dealt a hefty blow to the Sharks.
With Toulouse – dominant 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, sharing the group, we should be in for many thrilling contests.
And regarding Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They produced one of their top continental showings in a long time to stun three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Could Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Puzzle?
If there's one team you would predict to be in the mix at the business end of the Champions Cup, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
Yet in recent campaigns it hasn't gone to plan, as they have promised much but fallen short. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites the previous campaign 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 hoped that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to take them over the line, but they were surprised and endured a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This season they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a key pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to return the cup to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Appear Ready to Step Up
From the moment the SA franchises entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and the previous season no South African side succeeded in getting out of the group stage, with several weakened teams used.
Could this be the season that turns around? The Stormers are top of the URC and began their continental journey with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were positive too, with players and coaches speaking of their ambition, and the caliber of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the round-one win.
The Stormers seem the strongest candidate for a South African side to progress far in the tournament, yet write off the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat this weekend but did play Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Saints and Pau Serve Up a Thrilling Contest
There were multiple possibilities for best fixture, and that clash was a leading candidate.
Pau have been having a superb season, guided by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are presently second in the French league and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
