Following the initial matches of the 2025-26 Champions Cup wrapped up, we examine the major talking points emerging from the games.
Gallic supremacy has ruled the roost in recent seasons, with the previous five victors all hailing from France's top flight. But, the opening round featured several impressive wins from potential contenders.
Bordeaux Look Set to Go Back-to-Back
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in Europe the previous campaign, dominating Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the final.
Currently sitting sixth in the Top 14, questions have been asked about their capacity to retain the accomplishment now. But, in round one, Bordeaux sent a message that they are fully equipped of winning consecutive championships with a high-scoring win on the road in South Africa.
Given a difficult tie at the Bulls' fortress against a powerful Bulls side including 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 final 40 minutes, storming back to claim a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls scoreless after the break.
French try-scoring aces Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any side with those two on the edges is a threat against whoever they face.
Powerful Bath Seem Poised of Going the Distance
Bath's only triumph in this competition came almost three decades ago. Since that time, they have probably never been better equipped to win it again.
The reigning domestic title-holders are setting the pace domestically after six games and will be looking to transfer that success into Europe – particularly following a shocking early departure in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's team looked a extremely well-rounded and composed outfit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are among the leaders in the URC.
They combine creative spark – earning the try-scoring point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, holding their opponents at bay when they threatened a fightback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and quality reserves across the squad, they must be viewed as genuine challengers for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the pools last season occurred in the second round, an narrow 22-21 loss at Benetton with a rotated team.
Having secured a domestic championship in their history and top domestically again, Van Graan could be inclined to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Major Blow
The tournament contains quality outfits throughout the draw, but their section seems destined to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the competition's present structure, 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 be pivotal.
The Glasgow Warriors were two scores behind after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries during the beginning of the second period gave them a valuable bonus-point win.
In doing so, they provided their chances of progressing a significant early boost and, by contrast, inflicted a significant setback to Sale.
With Toulouse – dominant 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, also in the pool, we are likely to see many thrilling contests.
And what of Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They turned in one of their best European performances in years to stun former champions Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Could Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Quest?
If there's one team you would fancy to be challenging at the business end of the Champions Cup, it would be European giants Leinster.
But in recent seasons it has not worked out, as they have promised much but delivered little. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites last season after following up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was thought that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the key player to take them over the line, but they were ambushed and experienced a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This season they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a key pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to return the cup to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Seem Equipped to Compete
Since the South African sides entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and last year none of them was able to progress out of the pool phase, with plenty of rotated sides selected.
Will this be the campaign 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 words from players and coaches were positive too, with players and coaches talking about their goals, and the players such as Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the first match.
The Stormers seem the most likely contender for a South African side to go deep into the event, but write off the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost this weekend but did face Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Saints and Pau Produce a Thrilling Contest
There were several candidates 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 currently runner-up in the Top 14 and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
