Following the first round of the 2025-26 Champions Cup in the books, we explore the major talking points highlighted by the weekend's action.
Top 14 superiority has ruled the roost in recent seasons, with the past five winners all representing France's elite division. However, the initial stage included a number of convincing performances from new contenders.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Go Back-to-Back
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in the competition last season, dominating Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the grand finale.
Lying sixth in the Top 14, some have suggested about their chances of defending the title this year. However, in round one, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are fully equipped of securing another trophy with a high-scoring win on the road in South Africa.
Handed a difficult tie at a hostile venue against a formidable Bulls side boasting stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the break.
However, as champions do, they showed their quality in the second period, storming back to seal a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls scoreless after the interval.
French try-scoring phenoms Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any outfit with that pair on the flanks has a chance against whoever they face.
Impressive Bath Appear Equipped of Going the Distance
Bath's only triumph in this competition was almost 30 years ago. In the years since, they have perhaps not been more strongly positioned to win it again.
The defending English Premiership champions are top of the pile domestically after six games and will be looking to carry that momentum into the Champions Cup – especially after a surprise group-stage exit the previous season.
Johann van Graan's side looked a highly composed and polished team in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are highly placed in the Celtic league.
They combine creative spark – earning the extra point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, keeping their guests at a distance when they looked like mounting a fightback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and a deep squad all over the roster, they have to be considered serious contenders for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's key result in the group stage the previous year occurred in the next fixture, an narrow 22-21 setback at Benetton with a squad players.
Now with a domestic championship to their name and top the home league, Van Graan could be inclined to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Significant Setback
There are powerful sides throughout the draw, but Pool One appears poised to be one of the most competitive.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is said about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the opening night might just prove crucial.
The Glasgow Warriors were two scores behind after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries early in the second period gave them a all-important bonus-point win.
With this result, they handed their chances of progressing a positive start and, in turn, handed a significant setback to the Sharks.
With the red and blacks – imperious 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, also in the pool, we are likely to see plenty of fireworks.
And as for Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They produced one of their top continental showings in a long time to shock former champions Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Is Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Jigsaw?
When considering a contender you would expect to be in the mix at the business end of the continental campaign, it would be European giants Leinster.
Yet in the last few years it has ended in disappointment, as they have been favourites but delivered little. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites a year ago after following up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was believed that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to take them over the line, but they were caught out and experienced a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This season they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a scoring pass on his first appearance 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 Seem Equipped to Compete
From the moment the SA franchises joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the last eight, and last year not a single one managed to make it out of the group stage, with several squads not at full strength selected.
Will this be the campaign that is different? The Stormers are first in the URC and kicked off their European campaign with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were positive too, with the squad and staff speaking of their ambition, and the caliber of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the opening victory.
The Stormers seem the most likely contender for a team from South Africa to go deep into the tournament, but write off the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated this weekend but did play the French powerhouses respectively.
The English and French Sides Produce a Thrilling Contest
There were multiple possibilities for game of the weekend, and this one was a leading candidate.
Pau have been experiencing a brilliant campaign, guided by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are presently second in the Top 14 and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
