Following the first round of the 2025-26 Champions Cup concluded, we explore the major talking points stemming from the weekend's action.
French dominance has ruled the roost in recent years, with the previous five victors all representing France's top flight. However, the first weekend showcased multiple statement victories from new rivals.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Go Back-to-Back
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in this tournament the previous campaign, dominating Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the final.
Currently sitting sixth in the French league, some have suggested about their ability to repeat the feat this year. However, in their opener, Bordeaux sent a message that they are well-positioned of securing another trophy with a points-laden triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Given a tough assignment at the Bulls' fortress against a strong Bulls side featuring internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the break.
Yet, as champions do, they displayed their class in the final 40 minutes, storming back to seal a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls without a point after the break.
Les Bleus stars aces Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any team with such firepower on the flanks has a chance against any competition.
Powerful Bath Seem Poised of Going the Distance
Bath's only triumph in the Champions Cup came almost 30 years ago. Since that time, they have probably never been better equipped to secure another title.
The reigning domestic title-holders are top of the pile in the league after six games and will be looking to transfer that success into Europe – particularly following a shocking early departure last year.
Johann van Graan's team looked a very complete and polished team in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are among the leaders in the United Rugby Championship.
They combine attacking verve – sealing the try-scoring point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, holding their opponents at arm's length when they attempted a fightback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and quality reserves throughout the roster, they are surely serious contenders for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the pools a year ago came in the second round, an agonising 22-21 loss at Benetton with a rotated team.
After winning a domestic championship under their belt and top in England once more, Van Graan could be inclined to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Major Blow
The tournament contains quality outfits everywhere you look, but Pool One appears poised to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is said about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the first day might just turn out to be vital.
The Scottish side were two scores behind after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries early in the second period gave them a precious bonus-point win.
With this result, they provided their prospects of qualification a major lift and, conversely, dealt a significant setback to their opponents.
With the red and blacks – dominant 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, in the same section, we should be in for plenty of fireworks.
And regarding Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They turned in one of their finest displays in Europe in years to stun heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for Scottish rugby.
Will Ioane Be the Key Addition of the Leinster Puzzle?
Should you pick one side you would fancy to be in the mix at the later stages of the Champions Cup, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
But in recent seasons it has ended in disappointment, as they have been favourites but delivered little. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites last season after backing up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was hoped that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to secure the title, but they were surprised and suffered a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This year they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a try assist on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Look Ready to Step Up
Ever since the teams from South Africa joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the quarter-finals, and in the last campaign no South African side managed to make it out of the pool phase, with several rotated sides selected.
Will this be the campaign that turns around? The Stormers are first in the URC and started their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments 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 South African side to go deep into the tournament, although do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in their first games but did play the French powerhouses respectively.
The English and French Sides Serve Up a Thrilling Contest
There were a few contenders for match of the round, and this one was among the best.
Pau have been experiencing a outstanding campaign, spearheaded by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are presently runner-up in the French championship and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
