With the first round of the 2025-26 Champions Cup wrapped up, we explore the key revelations stemming from the weekend's action.
French dominance has defined the competition in recent years, with the last five champions all hailing from France's Top 14. However, the initial stage included a number of statement victories from new challengers.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Retain Their Crown
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in this tournament a year ago, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the final.
Lying sixth in the Top 14, some have suggested about their capacity to retain the accomplishment now. But, in round one, Bordeaux sent a message that they are more than capable of winning back-to-back titles with a high-scoring away victory in South Africa.
Faced with a tough assignment at the Bulls' fortress against a formidable Bulls side including internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at half-time.
However, true to their champion status, they displayed their class in the second half, fighting back to seal a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls scoreless after the break.
France international phenoms Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any side with those two on the wings stands a good chance against any opponent.
Impressive Bath Appear Equipped of Challenging for the Title
Bath's only triumph in Europe dates back almost three decades ago. Since that time, they have probably never been more strongly positioned to win it again.
The reigning domestic title-holders are leading the way domestically after six games and will be aiming to carry that momentum into the Champions Cup – particularly following a shocking early departure last year.
Johann van Graan's side looked a extremely well-rounded and balanced unit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are highly placed in the United Rugby Championship.
They combine creative spark – securing the try-scoring point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, keeping their opponents at bay when they threatened a fightback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and strength in depth all over the team, they must be viewed as serious contenders for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the pools a year ago came in the following week, an heartbreaking 22-21 loss at Benetton with a rotated team.
Now with a league trophy to their name and setting the pace the home league, Van Graan may feel able to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Tough Start
There are powerful sides throughout the draw, but the first group seems destined to be one of the tightest.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is said about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the first day might just prove crucial.
The Scottish side were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries early in the second period gave them a precious five points.
By achieving this, they provided their hopes of advancing a positive start and, in turn, dealt a damaging defeat to the Sharks.
With the red and blacks – imperious 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, sharing the group, we should be in for plenty of fireworks.
And what of Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They produced one of their top continental showings in recent memory to surprise heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for Scottish rugby.
Could Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Quest?
When considering a contender you would predict to be in the mix at the later stages of the continental campaign, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
But in the last few years it has ended in disappointment, as they have shown great potential but not won the trophy. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat last season after following up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was believed that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to secure the title, but they were ambushed and suffered a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This season they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a key pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player 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 furthest any of their teams have got is the last eight, and last year none of them succeeded in getting out of the group stage, with plenty of rotated sides used.
Could this be the season that changes? The Stormers are top of the URC and started their continental journey with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were positive too, with players and coaches speaking of their aspirations, and the players such as South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the first match.
The Stormers appear the strongest candidate for a SA franchise to progress far in the tournament, but do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in their first games but did play formidable opponents respectively.
Saints and Pau Deliver a Thrilling Contest
There were multiple possibilities for match of the round, and this one was a leading candidate.
Pau have been experiencing a brilliant campaign, spearheaded by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are presently in second place in the French league and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
