Following the first round of the 2025-26 Champions Cup concluded, we explore the key revelations highlighted by the weekend's action.
French dominance has defined the competition in recent years, with the last five champions all calling home France's elite division. Yet, the first weekend featured several impressive wins from new rivals.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Defend Their Title
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in this tournament last season, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the showpiece.
Positioned sixth in the Top 14, doubts have been raised about their chances of defending the accomplishment now. But, in the first round, Bordeaux served notice that they are well-positioned of winning consecutive championships with a points-laden triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Faced with a difficult tie at the Bulls' fortress against a powerful Bulls side boasting stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the break.
But, as champions do, they showed their quality in the second period, fighting back to claim a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls to zero after the halftime.
France international phenoms Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any side with those two on the edges is a threat against any competition.
Impressive Bath Look Capable of A Deep Run
Bath's sole success in Europe dates back almost 30 years ago. Since that time, they have perhaps not been more strongly positioned to secure another title.
The reigning domestic title-holders are top of the pile domestically after six games and will be looking to transfer that success into continental competition – on the back of a unexpected elimination the previous season.
Johann van Graan's team looked a highly composed and balanced unit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are third in the URC.
They combine offensive flair – securing the bonus point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, restraining their opponents at bay when they attempted a dramatic comeback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and a deep squad across the roster, they are surely serious contenders for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the group stage the previous year occurred in the following week, an agonising 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a rotated team.
After winning a league trophy under their belt and top the home league, Van Graan could be inclined to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Major Blow
There are quality outfits in every pool, but Pool One looks set to be one of the tightest.
In the existing pool system, a lot is made about victories on your own turf, 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 responded with character, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a precious maximum haul.
By achieving this, they provided their chances of progressing a major lift and, conversely, inflicted a damaging defeat to Sale.
With Toulouse – dominant 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, sharing the group, we can expect many thrilling contests.
And what of Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They delivered one of their best European performances in recent memory to surprise three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for Scottish rugby.
Will Ioane Be the Final Piece of the Leinster Jigsaw?
When considering a contender you would predict to be challenging at the later stages of the Champions Cup, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
However in the last few years it hasn't gone to plan, as they have promised much but delivered little. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites last season after building on a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was believed that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to take them over the line, but they were surprised and endured a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi.
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 success against Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to return the cup to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Appear Equipped to Compete
From the moment the SA franchises became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and in the last campaign 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 top of the URC and began their European campaign with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on the opening night.
The reactions after the game were positive too, with the squad and staff expressing their goals, and the caliber of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the opening victory.
The Stormers look the best bet for a SA franchise to progress far in the competition, yet do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in the opening round but did face Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Saints and Pau Produce a Thrilling Contest
There were several candidates for best fixture, and that clash was a leading candidate.
Pau have been having a outstanding campaign, guided by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are currently runner-up in the French championship and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
