Now that the opening salvo of the 2025-26 Champions Cup in the books, we explore the major talking points emerging from the fixtures.
Gallic supremacy has been the narrative in recent years, with the previous five victors all calling home France's Top 14. But, the opening round showcased several statement victories from new challengers.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Retain Their Crown
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in this tournament the previous campaign, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and subsequently Northampton in the final.
Positioned sixth in the French league, doubts have been raised about their capacity to retain the title this year. Yet, in the first round, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are more than capable of securing another trophy with a free-flowing triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Faced with a challenging fixture at a hostile venue against a powerful Bulls side boasting stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at half-time.
Yet, true to their champion status, they unleashed their power in the final 40 minutes, roaring back to seal a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls to zero after the interval.
Les Bleus stars aces Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any side with those two on the flanks is a threat against any opponent.
Powerful Bath Appear Equipped of A Deep Run
Bath's lone victory in Europe was almost three decades ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have perhaps not been more prepared to secure another title.
The defending English Premiership champions are setting the pace at home after six games and will be aiming to carry that momentum into the Champions Cup – particularly following a unexpected elimination in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's team looked a extremely well-rounded and balanced unit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are highly placed in the United Rugby Championship.
They blend offensive flair – securing the extra point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, keeping their guests at bay when they threatened a late rally.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and a deep squad throughout the squad, they are surely serious contenders for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the pools last season was in the following week, an agonising 22-21 setback at Benetton with a changed side.
After winning a Premiership title to their name and leading in England once more, Van Graan may feel able to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Significant Setback
There are powerful sides everywhere you look, but Pool One looks set to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is emphasized regarding securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the first day might just turn out to be vital.
The Scottish side were two scores behind after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries early in the second half gave them a precious five points.
In doing so, they provided their prospects of qualification a positive start and, in turn, handed a hefty blow to the Sharks.
With Toulouse – dominant 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, sharing the group, we are likely to see plenty of fireworks.
And what of Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They produced one of their best European performances in years to shock heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Will Ioane Be the Key Addition of the Leinster Jigsaw?
When considering a contender you would predict to be there or thereabouts at the business end of the season in Europe, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
Yet in recent campaigns it has not worked out, as they have been favourites but not won the trophy. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat the previous campaign 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 thought that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to win the championship, but they were caught out and endured a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This season they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a key pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Equipped to Compete
Since the South African sides joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and in the last campaign not a single one managed to make it out of the pool phase, with plenty of squads not at full strength fielded.
Is this the year that changes? The Stormers are leading the URC and started their European campaign with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were encouraging too, with the squad and staff expressing their ambition, and the caliber of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the round-one win.
The Stormers look the most likely contender for a SA franchise to progress far in the event, yet don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost this weekend but did meet Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Northampton and Pau Deliver a Classic Encounter
There were a few contenders for match of the round, and that clash was among the best.
Pau have been experiencing a brilliant campaign, guided by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are presently second in the French league and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
