Now that the opening salvo of the 2025-26 Champions Cup in the books, we delve into the key revelations highlighted by the weekend's action.
Top 14 superiority has ruled the roost in the past few campaigns, with the last five champions all hailing from France's elite division. However, the opening round included a number of convincing performances from potential rivals.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Go Back-to-Back
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in Europe a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the showpiece.
Currently sitting sixth in the domestic standings, questions have been asked about their ability to repeat the accomplishment this year. But, in their opener, Bordeaux served notice that they are more than capable of securing consecutive championships with a high-scoring away victory in South Africa.
Handed a difficult tie at a hostile venue against a powerful Bulls side featuring internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the interval.
But, demonstrating their pedigree, they displayed their class in the final 40 minutes, roaring back to claim a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls to zero after the interval.
French try-scoring aces Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any side with those two on the wings stands a good chance against any competition.
Impressive Bath Seem Poised of A Deep Run
Bath's only triumph in the Champions Cup came almost three decades ago. Since that time, they have arguably not been better equipped to win it again.
The current English champions are leading the way domestically after six games and will be hoping to transfer that success into continental competition – particularly following a unexpected elimination last year.
Johann van Graan's side looked a extremely well-rounded and polished team in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are highly placed in the United Rugby Championship.
They combine creative spark – sealing the bonus point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, restraining their opponents at bay when they threatened a dramatic comeback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and strength in depth across the squad, they have to be considered genuine challengers for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the initial phase last season came in the following week, an narrow 22-21 loss at Benetton with a changed side.
Having secured a domestic championship under their belt and top in England once more, Van Graan could be inclined to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Tough Start
You will find powerful sides throughout the draw, but the first group appears poised to be one of the tightest.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is emphasized regarding winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the first day might just turn out to be vital.
The Glasgow Warriors were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries early in the second period gave them a all-important five points.
In doing so, they handed their chances of progressing a significant early boost and, conversely, inflicted a hefty blow to their opponents.
With Toulouse – imperious 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, also in the pool, we are likely to see plenty of fireworks.
And as for Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They delivered one of their finest displays in Europe in recent memory to shock three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for Scottish rugby.
Is Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Jigsaw?
When considering a contender you would fancy to be there or thereabouts at the later stages of the continental campaign, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
Yet in recent seasons it hasn't gone to plan, as they have been favourites but not won the trophy. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat last season after backing up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was believed that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to secure the title, but they were ambushed and endured a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This year they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a try assist on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Prepared to Challenge
Since the South African sides joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the last eight, and in the last campaign no South African side managed to make it out of the group stage, with often rotated sides selected.
Is this the year that is different? The Stormers are leading the URC and began their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.
The reactions after the game were encouraging too, with the squad and staff talking about their goals, and the players such as stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the opening victory.
The Stormers seem the best bet for a team from South Africa to have a long run in the event, yet don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in the opening round but did face formidable opponents respectively.
The English and French Sides Serve Up a Classic Encounter
There were multiple possibilities for best fixture, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was right up there.
Pau have been having a brilliant season, spearheaded by Pumas 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
