Following the first round of the 2025-26 Champions Cup in the books, we examine the key revelations stemming from the weekend's action.
French dominance has defined the competition in recent seasons, with the previous five victors all calling home France's elite division. Yet, the opening round included several convincing performances from emerging challengers.
Bordeaux Look Set to Go Back-to-Back
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were imperious in the competition last season, dismantling Toulouse in the last four and subsequently Northampton in the showpiece.
Currently sitting sixth in the Top 14, questions have been asked about their capacity to retain the accomplishment this season. Yet, in their opener, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are well-positioned of securing back-to-back titles with a free-flowing triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Given a difficult tie at a hostile venue against a strong Bulls side boasting internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at half-time.
But, demonstrating their pedigree, they displayed their class in the second period, storming back to claim a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls to zero after the break.
France international phenoms Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any outfit with that pair on the flanks is a threat against any competition.
Formidable Bath Seem Poised of Challenging for the Title
Bath's sole success in the Champions Cup dates back almost three decades ago. Since that time, they have perhaps not been more strongly positioned to win it again.
The reigning domestic title-holders are top of the pile in the league after six games and will be hoping to carry that momentum into continental competition – especially after a unexpected elimination in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's side looked a highly composed and composed outfit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are among the leaders in the Celtic league.
They marry offensive flair – securing the bonus point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, holding their opponents at arm's length when they threatened a late rally.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and strength in depth throughout the team, they have to be considered genuine challengers for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the pools last season was in the second round, an narrow 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a squad players.
Now with a Premiership title in their history and leading domestically again, Van Graan might decide to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Give Sale a Major Blow
There are strong teams in every pool, but their section 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 triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the opening night might just turn out to be vital.
The Scottish side were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries early in the second half gave them a precious bonus-point win.
With this result, they provided their prospects of qualification a positive start and, in turn, handed a hefty blow to their opponents.
With the red and blacks – imperious 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, sharing the group, we can expect high-stakes drama.
And what of Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They turned in one of their top continental showings in a long time to shock heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for Scottish rugby.
Is Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Quest?
When considering a contender you would predict to be there or thereabouts at the sharp end of the Champions Cup, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
But in the last few years it has not worked out, as they have promised much but not won the trophy. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites the previous campaign after following up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was believed that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the key player to secure the title, but they were caught out and experienced a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This season they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a key pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Look Equipped to Compete
Ever since the teams from South Africa entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and last year none of them was able to progress out of the pool phase, with several squads not at full strength fielded.
Will this be the campaign that turns around? The Stormers are leading the URC and started their continental journey with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.
The reactions after the game were positive too, with players and coaches speaking of their aspirations, and the likes of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the round-one win.
The Stormers appear the best bet for a team from South Africa to have a long run in the tournament, but do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in their first games but did face the French powerhouses respectively.
The English and French Sides Serve Up a Thrilling Contest
There were several candidates for game of the weekend, and that clash was a leading candidate.
Pau have been experiencing a outstanding campaign, spearheaded by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are currently in second place in the French league and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
