Now that the initial matches of the 2025-26 Champions Cup in the books, we delve into the major talking points emerging from the games.
Gallic supremacy has ruled the roost in recent years, with the last five champions all hailing from France's Top 14. Yet, the first weekend featured a number of impressive wins from new rivals.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Go Back-to-Back
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were imperious in Europe last season, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and subsequently Northampton in the showpiece.
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 served notice that they are fully equipped of achieving consecutive championships with a free-flowing win on the road in South Africa.
Handed a tough assignment at a hostile venue against a formidable Bulls side featuring stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at half-time.
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.
France international phenoms Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any outfit with those two on the wings is a threat against whoever they face.
Impressive Bath Appear Equipped of Going the Distance
Bath's lone victory in Europe came almost 30 years ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have probably never been more prepared to secure another title.
The defending English Premiership champions are setting the pace at home after six games and will be hoping to carry that momentum into continental competition – especially after a unexpected elimination in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's side looked a very complete and balanced unit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are among the leaders in the United Rugby Championship.
They blend attacking verve – earning the bonus point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, restraining their guests at a distance when they attempted a late rally.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and a deep squad throughout the team, they must be viewed as credible threats for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's key result in the pools the previous year occurred in the second round, an agonising 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a squad players.
Having secured a league trophy in their history and setting the pace domestically again, Van Graan could be inclined to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Major Blow
The tournament contains quality outfits in every pool, but their section seems destined to be one of the tightest.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is said about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the first day might just prove crucial.
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 period gave them a all-important bonus-point win.
With this result, they provided their chances of progressing a major lift and, conversely, handed a hefty blow to their opponents.
With Toulouse – dominant 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, sharing the group, we are likely to see high-stakes drama.
And what of Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They produced one of their finest displays in Europe in a long time to stun former champions Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Could Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Puzzle?
Should you pick one side you would expect to be in the mix at the sharp end of the continental campaign, 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 heavy favourites last season after following up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the last 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 secure the title, but they were surprised and endured a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This year they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a key pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time 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 last eight, and the previous season none of them was able to progress out of the group stage, with often rotated sides selected.
Is this the year that is different? The Stormers are first in the URC and began their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The words from players and coaches were encouraging too, with players and coaches expressing their ambition, and the players such as stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the first match.
The Stormers seem the strongest candidate for a team from South Africa to have a long run in the tournament, although write off the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in their first games but did face formidable opponents respectively.
The English and French Sides Produce a Classic Encounter
There were multiple possibilities for match of the round, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was among the best.
Pau have been having a outstanding campaign, spearheaded by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are presently in second place in the French league and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
