Following the initial matches of the 2025-26 Champions Cup in the books, we explore the key revelations stemming from the games.
Gallic supremacy has ruled the roost in recent years, with the past five winners all hailing from France's elite division. Yet, the initial stage showcased several convincing performances from emerging rivals.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Retain Their Crown
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in Europe last season, dominating Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the grand finale.
Lying sixth in the domestic standings, doubts have been raised about their ability to repeat the feat this year. However, in round one, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are well-positioned of winning consecutive championships with a high-scoring away victory in South Africa.
Faced with a difficult tie at a hostile venue against a powerful Bulls side featuring talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the interval.
However, as champions do, they displayed their class in the second half, roaring back to seal a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls to zero after the interval.
Les Bleus stars aces Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any team with that pair on the flanks has a chance against any opponent.
Formidable Bath Look Capable of Going the Distance
Bath's only triumph in the Champions Cup was almost 30 years ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have probably never been better equipped to secure another title.
The reigning domestic title-holders are top of the pile in the league after six games and will be aiming to carry that momentum into Europe – especially after a surprise group-stage exit in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's side looked a highly composed and polished team in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are among the leaders in the Celtic league.
They combine creative spark – sealing the bonus point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, restraining their visitors at bay when they threatened a dramatic comeback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and a deep squad throughout the squad, they are surely credible threats for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the initial phase a year ago was in the next fixture, an agonising 22-21 setback at Benetton with a changed side.
Now with a league trophy to their name and leading the home league, Van Graan may feel able to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Give Sale a Major Blow
You will find strong teams in every pool, but their section seems destined to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is said about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the opening night might just turn out to be vital.
The team from Scotland were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a all-important five points.
With this result, they handed their prospects of qualification a significant early boost and, in turn, dealt a significant setback to the Sharks.
With the French giants – dominant 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, sharing the group, we can expect plenty of fireworks.
And as for Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They produced one of their top continental showings in years to shock former champions 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 there or thereabouts at the later stages of the season in Europe, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
Yet in recent campaigns it has ended in disappointment, as they have been favourites but fallen short. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat last season after building on a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was hoped that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to take them over the line, but they were caught out and experienced a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This year they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a scoring pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Prepared to Challenge
From the moment the SA franchises became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the quarter-finals, and last year none of them managed to make it out of the pool phase, with plenty of squads not at full strength fielded.
Could this be the season that is different? The Stormers are top of the URC and started their continental journey with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were promising too, with players and coaches speaking of their goals, and the caliber of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the first match.
The Stormers seem the best bet for a team from South Africa to progress far in the event, but don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost this weekend but did face Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
The English and French Sides Deliver a Classic Encounter
There were a few contenders for game of the weekend, and this one was a leading candidate.
Pau have been enjoying a superb campaign, guided by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are presently in second place in the French championship and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
