Now that the opening salvo of the 2025-26 Champions Cup in the books, we delve into the key revelations highlighted by the games.
Gallic supremacy has ruled the roost in recent years, with the previous five victors all hailing from France's top flight. However, the opening round included multiple convincing performances from emerging rivals.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Retain Their Crown
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in this tournament last season, dominating Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the showpiece.
Positioned sixth in the Top 14, questions have been asked about their chances of defending the accomplishment now. But, in round one, Bordeaux sent a message that they are fully equipped of winning back-to-back titles with a free-flowing win on the road in South Africa.
Faced with a challenging fixture at a hostile venue against a formidable Bulls side including talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the break.
But, true to their champion status, they showed their quality in the final 40 minutes, roaring back to seal a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls to zero after the halftime.
Les Bleus stars machines Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any outfit with that pair on the flanks is a threat against any competition.
Impressive Bath Look Capable of Challenging for the Title
Bath's lone victory in the Champions Cup dates back almost a generation ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have probably never been more prepared to win it again.
The defending English Premiership champions are setting the pace in the league after six games and will be looking to transfer that success into continental competition – particularly following a unexpected elimination the previous season.
Johann van Graan's men looked a highly composed and composed outfit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are highly placed in the United Rugby Championship.
They blend creative spark – securing the extra point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, restraining their guests at bay when they threatened a fightback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and strength in depth all over the roster, they must be viewed as genuine challengers for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's key result in the initial phase last season occurred in the following week, an narrow 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a squad players.
Now with a Premiership title in their history and setting the pace the home league, Van Graan could be inclined to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Tough Start
The tournament contains quality outfits everywhere you look, but the first group seems destined to be one of the most competitive.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is said about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the first day might just be pivotal.
The Glasgow Warriors were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a precious bonus-point win.
In doing so, they handed their prospects of qualification a major lift and, by contrast, handed a damaging defeat to their opponents.
With the red and blacks – imperious 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, in the same section, we should be in for many thrilling contests.
And as for Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They delivered one of their top continental showings in years to surprise heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Could Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Jigsaw?
When considering a contender you would expect to be in the mix at the sharp end of the season in Europe, it would be European giants Leinster.
Yet in recent campaigns it has ended in disappointment, as they have promised much but not won the trophy. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites a year ago after backing up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was hoped that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the key player to take them over the line, but they were ambushed and suffered a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This season they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a key pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Equipped to Compete
From the moment the SA franchises joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the quarter-finals, and last year none of them managed to make it out of the group stage, with plenty of weakened teams selected.
Will this be the campaign that changes? The Stormers are first in the URC and kicked off their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were promising too, with individuals involved speaking of their goals, and the players such as South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the round-one win.
The Stormers look the most likely contender for a SA franchise to have a long run in the event, but write off the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in their first games but did face the French powerhouses respectively.
The English and French Sides Deliver a Memorable Match
There were several candidates for game of the weekend, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was right up there.
Pau have been enjoying a superb season, spearheaded by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are right now runner-up in the Top 14 and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
