Following the first round of the 2025-26 Champions Cup concluded, we examine the major talking points highlighted by the weekend's action.
Gallic supremacy has been the narrative in recent seasons, with the past five winners all calling home France's elite division. However, the initial stage showcased a number of convincing performances from new challengers.
Bordeaux Look Set to Defend Their Title
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in the competition the previous campaign, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the showpiece.
Currently sitting sixth in the domestic standings, some have suggested about their ability to repeat the feat this year. However, in round one, Bordeaux issued a reminder 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 difficult tie at the Bulls' fortress against a powerful Bulls side boasting internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the interval.
However, true to their champion status, they showed their quality in the final 40 minutes, storming back to claim a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls without a point after the interval.
French try-scoring phenoms Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any side with such firepower on the wings has a chance against any competition.
Powerful Bath Look Capable of Going the Distance
Bath's lone victory in this competition dates back almost a generation ago. In the years since, they have arguably not been better equipped to secure another title.
The reigning domestic title-holders are leading the way in the league after six games and will be hoping to carry that momentum into the Champions Cup – especially after a shocking early departure last year.
Johann van Graan's team looked a highly composed and polished team in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are among the leaders in the URC.
They combine offensive flair – earning the try-scoring point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, restraining their visitors at bay when they threatened a dramatic comeback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and a deep squad throughout the team, they are surely serious contenders for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the initial phase a year ago was in the following week, an heartbreaking 22-21 loss at Benetton with a squad players.
After winning a domestic championship to their name and top the home league, Van Graan may feel able to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Give Sale a Tough Start
The tournament contains quality outfits everywhere you look, but the first group appears poised to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the existing pool system, a lot is emphasized regarding securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the first day might just prove crucial.
The Glasgow Warriors 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 bonus-point win.
With this result, they provided their chances of progressing a major lift and, by contrast, handed a damaging defeat to the Sharks.
With the French giants – imperious 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, in the same section, we can expect many thrilling contests.
And what of Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They delivered one of their finest displays in Europe in years to surprise heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for Scottish rugby.
Could Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Jigsaw?
If there's one team you would fancy to be there or thereabouts at the later stages of the Champions Cup, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
However in recent campaigns it has ended in disappointment, as they have been favourites but not won the trophy. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites a year ago after backing up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was thought that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to win the championship, but they were surprised and endured a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi.
Now they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a key pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Ready to Step Up
From the moment the SA franchises became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the quarter-finals, and the previous season no South African side managed to make it out of the pool phase, with often squads not at full strength used.
Will this be the campaign that changes? The Stormers are top of the URC and kicked off their continental journey with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were encouraging too, with the squad and staff expressing their ambition, and the caliber of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the first match.
The Stormers seem the strongest candidate for a team from South Africa to progress far in the competition, yet do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in their first games but did play Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
The English and French Sides Deliver a Memorable Match
There were multiple possibilities for best fixture, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was a leading candidate.
Pau have been experiencing a superb season, guided by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are presently second in the Top 14 and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
