With the initial matches of the 2025-26 Champions Cup in the books, we delve into the major talking points emerging from the games.
Gallic supremacy has defined the competition in the past few campaigns, with the last five champions all representing France's top flight. Yet, the first weekend showcased a number of convincing performances from new rivals.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Go Back-to-Back
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in this tournament last season, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the final.
Currently sitting sixth in the domestic standings, some have suggested about their chances of defending the accomplishment this year. But, in the first round, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are well-positioned of securing consecutive championships with a points-laden win on the road in South Africa.
Faced with a difficult tie at the Bulls' fortress against a formidable Bulls side including talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the break.
But, true to their champion status, they displayed their class in the final 40 minutes, storming back to secure a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls to zero after the interval.
French try-scoring aces Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any team with that pair on the wings has a chance against any opponent.
Formidable Bath Seem Poised of A Deep Run
Bath's lone victory in Europe came almost a generation ago. Since that time, they have arguably not been better equipped to add a second star.
The defending English Premiership champions are leading the way domestically after six games and will be hoping to carry that momentum into continental competition – especially after a shocking early departure the previous season.
Johann van Graan's men looked a extremely well-rounded and polished team in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are among the leaders in the Celtic league.
They blend attacking verve – earning the bonus point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, restraining their guests at a distance when they looked like mounting a late rally.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and quality reserves throughout the squad, they must be viewed as genuine challengers for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's key result in the pools the previous year came in the second round, an heartbreaking 22-21 setback at Benetton with a rotated team.
Now with a domestic championship to their name and top domestically again, Van Graan might decide to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Tough Start
The tournament contains powerful sides throughout the draw, but the first group seems destined to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the existing pool system, a lot is said about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on Friday evening might just be pivotal.
The Glasgow Warriors were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a precious five points.
With this result, they gave their prospects of qualification a significant early boost and, by contrast, dealt a significant setback to Sale.
With the French giants – 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 as for Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They turned in one of their finest displays in Europe in a long time to stun three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Will Ioane Be the Key Addition of the Leinster Puzzle?
If there's one team you would predict to be in the mix at the sharp end of the Champions Cup, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
However in recent seasons it has not worked out, as they have been favourites but fallen short. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites a year ago after backing up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was thought that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to take them over the line, but they were ambushed and suffered a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
Now they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a scoring pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to return the cup to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Look Ready to Step Up
Ever since the teams from South Africa became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and last year none of them managed to make it out of the group stage, with often rotated sides used.
Will this be the campaign that changes? The Stormers are first in the URC and began their European campaign with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on Friday.
The reactions after the game were positive too, with individuals involved speaking of their goals, and the players such as stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the round-one win.
The Stormers seem the best bet for a team from South Africa to go deep into the competition, yet write off the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in the opening round but did meet Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Saints and Pau Deliver a Classic Encounter
There were several candidates for game of the weekend, and that clash was right up there.
Pau have been enjoying a brilliant season, spearheaded by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are right now in second place in the Top 14 and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
