Following the initial matches of the 2025-26 Champions Cup wrapped up, we examine the primary lessons highlighted by the weekend's action.
Gallic supremacy has defined the competition in the past few campaigns, with the last five champions all hailing from France's Top 14. However, the first weekend featured several impressive wins from new contenders.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Go Back-to-Back
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in this tournament the previous campaign, dismantling Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the grand finale.
Currently sitting sixth in the domestic standings, some have suggested about their ability to repeat the title this season. Yet, in the first round, Bordeaux served notice that they are more than capable of achieving another trophy with a free-flowing triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Given a difficult tie at a hostile venue against a powerful Bulls side including talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the break.
However, as champions do, they unleashed their power in the second half, fighting back to secure a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls to zero after the interval.
French try-scoring machines Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any team with such firepower on the wings has a chance against any competition.
Impressive Bath Look Capable of Going the Distance
Bath's only triumph in this competition dates back almost three decades ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have arguably not been better equipped to secure another title.
The defending English Premiership champions are setting the pace domestically after six games and will be looking to translate that form into the Champions Cup – especially after a surprise group-stage exit last year.
Johann van Graan's side looked a highly composed and balanced unit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are third in the URC.
They blend offensive flair – securing the bonus point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, holding their visitors at a distance when they looked like mounting a dramatic comeback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and strength in depth throughout the roster, they have to be considered credible threats for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the group stage last season was in the second round, an narrow 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a changed side.
After winning a Premiership title in their history and top domestically again, Van Graan might decide to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Significant Setback
You will find powerful sides in every pool, but Pool One looks set to be one of the tightest.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is emphasized regarding securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the opening night might just prove crucial.
The team from Scotland were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries early in the second half gave them a valuable bonus-point win.
In doing so, they gave their hopes of advancing a positive start and, conversely, handed a damaging defeat to their opponents.
With Toulouse – commanding 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, in the same section, we can expect high-stakes drama.
And as for Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They produced one of their finest displays in Europe in years to surprise former champions Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for Scottish rugby.
Could Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Quest?
If there's one team you would predict to be challenging at the business end of the continental campaign, it would be European giants Leinster.
Yet in recent seasons it hasn't gone to plan, as they have shown great potential but delivered little. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites a year ago after building on a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was hoped that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the key player to win the championship, but they were surprised and suffered a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the last four.
Now they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a key pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Prepared to Challenge
Since the South African sides joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and the previous season none of them managed to make it out of the group stage, with plenty of weakened teams fielded.
Will this be the campaign that changes? The Stormers are leading the URC and kicked off their continental journey with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were positive too, with individuals involved speaking of their goals, and the likes of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the round-one win.
The Stormers look the most likely contender for a SA franchise to have a long run in the event, yet do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in the opening round but did meet formidable opponents respectively.
Northampton and Pau Produce a Classic Encounter
There were a few contenders for best fixture, and that clash was a leading candidate.
Pau have been experiencing a outstanding season, spearheaded by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are right now in second place in the French championship and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
