With the first round of the 2025-26 Champions Cup in the books, we examine the primary lessons highlighted by the weekend's action.
Top 14 superiority has defined the competition in the past few campaigns, with the last five champions all calling home France's elite division. Yet, the opening round included multiple statement victories from new contenders.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Retain Their Crown
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in the competition last season, dominating Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the grand finale.
Positioned sixth in the French league, doubts have been raised about their ability to repeat the title now. But, in their opener, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are more than capable of securing consecutive championships with a free-flowing win on the road in South Africa.
Given a difficult tie at the Bulls' fortress against a strong Bulls side featuring talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at half-time.
Yet, as champions do, they unleashed their power in the second half, storming back to seal a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls to zero after the halftime.
France international phenoms Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any outfit with that pair on the flanks is a threat against any opponent.
Formidable Bath Seem Poised of Going the Distance
Bath's lone victory in Europe dates back almost 30 years ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have arguably not been better equipped to win it again.
The current English champions are top of the pile domestically after six games and will be aiming to translate that form into the Champions Cup – especially after a unexpected elimination in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's team looked a highly composed and balanced unit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are highly placed in the Celtic league.
They marry attacking verve – securing the bonus point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, keeping their guests at bay when they threatened a dramatic comeback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and quality reserves throughout the team, they must be viewed as serious contenders for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's key result in the pools last season was in the next fixture, an narrow 22-21 loss at Benetton with a changed side.
Now with a league trophy in their history and top in England once more, Van Graan may feel able to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Tough Start
The tournament contains strong teams throughout the draw, but their section appears poised to be one of the most competitive.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is said about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on Friday evening might just be pivotal.
The team from Scotland were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a valuable five points.
In doing so, they gave their hopes of advancing a significant early boost and, in turn, handed a damaging defeat to their opponents.
With the red and blacks – dominant 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, in the same section, we are likely to see high-stakes drama.
And regarding Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They delivered one of their finest displays in Europe in years to surprise former champions Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for the Scottish game.
Could Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Quest?
When considering a contender you would fancy to be there or thereabouts at the business end of the season in Europe, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
However in recent seasons it has ended in disappointment, as they have been favourites but fallen short. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites the previous campaign after backing up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was believed that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to secure the title, but they were surprised and experienced a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi.
Now they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a key pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Look Prepared to Challenge
From the moment the SA franchises entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the last eight, and in the last campaign no South African side was able to progress out of the pool phase, with several squads not at full strength fielded.
Could this be the season that is different? The Stormers are leading the URC and started their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.
The words from players and coaches were positive too, with players and coaches expressing their ambition, and the caliber of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the first match.
The Stormers appear the strongest candidate for a South African side to go deep into the competition, yet write off the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in the opening round but did face the French powerhouses respectively.
The English and French Sides Serve Up a Thrilling Contest
There were a few contenders for game of the weekend, and this one was right up there.
Pau have been having a brilliant campaign, guided by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are currently in second place in the French championship and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
