With the initial matches of the 2025-26 Champions Cup in the books, we examine the key revelations stemming from the games.
Top 14 superiority has been the narrative in the past few campaigns, with the past five winners all hailing from France's Top 14. But, the opening round featured a number of impressive wins from new challengers.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Defend Their Title
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in Europe the previous campaign, dominating Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the final.
Lying sixth in the domestic standings, some have suggested about their chances of defending the title this season. Yet, in their opener, Bordeaux sent a message that they are more than capable of winning back-to-back titles with a points-laden triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Handed a challenging fixture at a hostile venue against a powerful Bulls side boasting talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the break.
However, true to their champion status, they showed their quality in the second half, roaring back to secure a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls without a point after the halftime.
Les Bleus stars aces Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any team with such firepower on the wings has a chance against whoever they face.
Formidable Bath Seem Poised of A Deep Run
Bath's lone victory in Europe was almost 30 years ago. Since that time, they have arguably not been more prepared to win it again.
The reigning domestic title-holders are setting the pace at home after six games and will be looking to translate that form into continental competition – particularly following a unexpected elimination the previous season.
Johann van Graan's men looked a highly composed and composed outfit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are third in the United Rugby Championship.
They blend attacking verve – sealing the try-scoring point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, keeping their opponents at arm's length when they attempted a late rally.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and strength in depth all over the team, they have to be considered genuine challengers for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's key result in the initial phase a year ago came in the second round, an narrow 22-21 loss at Benetton with a changed side.
Now with a Premiership title in their history and top domestically again, Van Graan could be inclined to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Major Blow
There are quality outfits throughout the draw, but Pool One appears poised to be one of the most competitive.
In the existing pool system, a lot is said about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the opening night might just prove crucial.
The Scottish side were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries early in the second half gave them a all-important bonus-point win.
By achieving this, they provided their prospects of qualification a positive start and, conversely, handed a damaging defeat to their opponents.
With Toulouse – commanding 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, also in the pool, we can expect many thrilling contests.
And regarding Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They produced one of their finest displays in Europe in a long time to shock heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for the Scottish game.
Could Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Puzzle?
Should you pick one side you would predict to be in the mix at the later stages of the Champions Cup, it would be European giants Leinster.
But in recent seasons it has not worked out, as they have promised much but delivered little. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites a year ago after building on a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was thought that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to win the championship, but they were surprised and suffered a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This year they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a scoring pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Look Prepared to Challenge
From the moment the SA franchises became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the last eight, and last year none of them succeeded in getting out of the group stage, with plenty of rotated sides fielded.
Could this be the season that changes? The Stormers are top of the URC and started their European campaign with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The reactions after the game were encouraging too, with the squad and staff speaking of their aspirations, and the players such as South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the first match.
The Stormers seem the strongest candidate for a South African side to have a long run in the tournament, yet write off the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in the opening round but did play formidable opponents respectively.
Saints and Pau Produce a Thrilling Contest
There were a few contenders for best fixture, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was among the best.
Pau have been experiencing a superb campaign, led by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are presently runner-up in the Top 14 and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
