With the initial matches of the 2025-26 Champions Cup concluded, we explore the key revelations stemming from the fixtures.
Top 14 superiority has been the narrative in recent years, with the past five winners all representing France's elite division. Yet, the first weekend featured multiple impressive wins from potential rivals.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Retain Their Crown
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in this tournament last season, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the final.
Lying sixth in the French league, some have suggested about their ability to repeat the feat this season. But, in round one, Bordeaux served notice that they are fully equipped of winning back-to-back titles with a free-flowing away victory in South Africa.
Given a difficult tie at Loftus Versfeld against a formidable Bulls side featuring stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the interval.
But, demonstrating their pedigree, they displayed their class in the final 40 minutes, fighting back to seal a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls without a point after the interval.
France international machines Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any side with that pair on the flanks has a chance against any competition.
Powerful Bath Seem Poised of Going the Distance
Bath's lone victory in the Champions Cup came almost 30 years ago. Since that time, they have perhaps not been more prepared to add a second star.
The current English champions are top of the pile at home after six games and will be hoping to carry that momentum into the Champions Cup – especially after a shocking early departure in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's men looked a extremely well-rounded and composed outfit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are highly placed in the Celtic league.
They marry creative spark – sealing the bonus point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, holding their opponents at a distance when they threatened a late rally.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and strength in depth all over the roster, they are surely credible threats for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's key result in the group stage the previous year occurred in the following week, an agonising 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a changed side.
Having secured a domestic championship to their name and setting the pace domestically again, Van Graan could be inclined to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Significant Setback
The tournament contains powerful sides everywhere you look, but their section appears poised to be one of the tightest.
In the existing pool system, a lot is said about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the opening night might just turn out to be vital.
The Scottish side were two scores behind after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a precious bonus-point win.
In doing so, they handed their prospects of qualification a significant early boost and, in turn, inflicted a damaging defeat to their opponents.
With the French giants – commanding 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, in the same section, we should be in for many thrilling contests.
And as for Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They turned in one of their finest displays in Europe in years to stun three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for Scottish rugby.
Will Ioane Be the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Quest?
If there's one team you would fancy to be in the mix at the sharp end of the season in Europe, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
But in the last few years it has not worked out, as they have shown great potential but not won the trophy. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites last season after following 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 believed that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to take them over the line, but they were caught out 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 registered a try assist on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Appear 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 last eight, and the previous season none of them managed to make it out of the group stage, with several squads not at full strength used.
Will this be the campaign that is different? The Stormers are top of the URC and kicked off their European campaign with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on the opening night.
The words from players and coaches were encouraging too, with the squad and staff speaking of their goals, and the likes of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the opening victory.
The Stormers seem the most likely contender for a SA franchise to go deep into the event, although do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in their first games but did meet the French powerhouses respectively.
Saints and Pau Produce a Memorable Match
There were multiple possibilities for game of the weekend, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was right up there.
Pau have been having a outstanding season, guided by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are currently second in the Top 14 and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
