Now that the opening salvo of the 2025-26 Champions Cup concluded, we examine the major talking points emerging from the games.
Gallic supremacy has defined the competition in recent seasons, with the last five champions all calling home France's Top 14. Yet, the first weekend featured several statement victories from potential challengers.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Defend Their Title
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were imperious in Europe a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the final.
Currently sitting sixth in the domestic standings, questions have been asked about their capacity to retain the feat now. But, in the first round, Bordeaux sent a message that they are well-positioned of achieving consecutive championships with a points-laden away victory in South Africa.
Faced with a challenging fixture at the Bulls' fortress against a strong Bulls side including internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the break.
However, true to their champion status, they unleashed their power in the second period, fighting back to seal a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls to zero after the interval.
France international aces Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any side with those two on the flanks is a threat against any competition.
Impressive Bath Look Capable of Going the Distance
Bath's only triumph in this competition dates back almost 30 years ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have arguably not been more strongly positioned to add a second star.
The reigning domestic title-holders are leading the way in the league after six games and will be aiming to translate that form into Europe – especially after a unexpected elimination in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's side looked a extremely well-rounded and balanced unit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are highly placed in the Celtic league.
They marry attacking verve – earning the bonus point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, restraining their visitors at bay when they looked like mounting a fightback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and a deep squad across the team, they have to be considered credible threats for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's key result in the initial phase a year ago came in the following week, an agonising 22-21 loss at Benetton with a changed side.
Now with a Premiership title under their belt and setting the pace domestically again, Van Graan may feel able to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Give Sale a Major Blow
You will find powerful sides throughout the draw, but Pool One appears poised to be one of the tightest.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is made about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the opening night might just turn out to be vital.
The Scottish side were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a all-important maximum haul.
In doing so, they gave their prospects of qualification a major lift and, by contrast, handed a significant setback to their opponents.
With the red and blacks – imperious 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, also in the pool, we can expect plenty of fireworks.
And as for Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They turned in one of their finest displays in Europe in a long time to surprise former champions Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Could Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Quest?
When considering a contender you would fancy to be challenging at the business end of the continental campaign, it would be European giants Leinster.
But in recent campaigns it has not worked out, as they have promised much but delivered little. 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 hoped that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the key player to secure the title, but they were surprised and experienced a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the last four.
Now they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a scoring pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to return the cup to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Appear Ready to Step Up
Since the South African sides became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the quarter-finals, and last year none of them was able to progress out of the pool phase, with often squads not at full strength fielded.
Will this be the campaign that changes? The Stormers are first in the URC and started their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.
The reactions after the game were positive too, with players and coaches speaking of their aspirations, and the players such as Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the opening victory.
The Stormers seem the best bet for a South African side to have a long run in the event, although don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in the opening round but did meet formidable opponents respectively.
The English and French Sides Serve Up a Memorable Match
There were several candidates for game of the weekend, and this one was right up there.
Pau have been enjoying a brilliant campaign, led by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are right now runner-up in the French league and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
