Following the opening salvo of the 2025-26 Champions Cup wrapped up, we delve into the primary lessons emerging from the fixtures.
Gallic supremacy has ruled the roost in recent years, with the last five champions all representing France's Top 14. But, the initial stage showcased a number of statement victories from emerging rivals.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Retain Their Crown
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in this tournament a year ago, dominating Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the showpiece.
Currently sitting sixth in the domestic standings, some have suggested about their chances of defending the feat this season. But, in their opener, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are more than capable of securing consecutive championships with a free-flowing triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Faced with a difficult tie at a hostile venue against a strong Bulls side including talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at half-time.
But, demonstrating their pedigree, they unleashed their power in the final 40 minutes, roaring back to claim a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls scoreless after the interval.
French try-scoring phenoms Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any team with such firepower on the wings has a chance against any competition.
Impressive Bath Appear Equipped of Challenging for the Title
Bath's lone victory in the Champions Cup was almost a generation ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have probably never been more prepared to win it again.
The defending English Premiership champions are top of the pile in the league after six games and will be looking to transfer that success into Europe – especially after a surprise group-stage exit the previous season.
Johann van Graan's team looked a extremely well-rounded and balanced unit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are third in the Celtic league.
They combine attacking verve – earning the try-scoring point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, holding their opponents at bay when they looked like mounting a fightback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and strength in depth across the team, they have to be considered genuine challengers for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's key result in the pools last season occurred in the second round, an heartbreaking 22-21 loss at Benetton with a rotated team.
Now with a domestic championship in their history and setting the pace domestically again, Van Graan might decide to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Tough Start
The tournament contains powerful sides throughout the draw, but Pool One appears poised 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 Friday evening might just prove crucial.
The team from Scotland were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries early in the second half gave them a all-important five points.
By achieving this, they handed their hopes of advancing a major lift and, conversely, inflicted a hefty blow to the Sharks.
With Toulouse – imperious 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, also in the pool, we should be in for many thrilling contests.
And what of Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They produced one of their best European performances in recent memory to stun heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for Scottish rugby.
Could Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Puzzle?
Should you pick one side you would fancy to be there or thereabouts at the business end of the Champions Cup, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
Yet in recent seasons it has ended in disappointment, as they have shown great potential but delivered little. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites the previous campaign after backing up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was believed that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the key player to take them over the line, but they were caught out and suffered a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the last four.
Now they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a scoring pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first occasion 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 in the last campaign none of them succeeded in getting out of the group stage, with often squads not at full strength used.
Will this be the campaign that is different? The Stormers are first in the URC and began their European campaign with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were positive too, with individuals involved expressing their goals, and the likes of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the first match.
The Stormers seem the most likely contender for a team from South Africa to progress far in the event, but do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in their first games but did face the French powerhouses respectively.
The English and French Sides Deliver a Memorable Match
There were a few contenders for match of the round, and that clash was a leading candidate.
Pau have been having a superb campaign, spearheaded by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are right now second in the French championship and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
