With the first round of the 2025-26 Champions Cup wrapped up, we examine the primary lessons stemming from the weekend's action.
Top 14 superiority has defined the competition in the past few campaigns, with the last five champions all calling home France's elite division. However, the opening round included a number of impressive wins from new rivals.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Go Back-to-Back
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in the competition last season, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the showpiece.
Lying sixth in the French league, questions have been asked about their chances of defending the feat this year. Yet, in round one, Bordeaux served notice that they are well-positioned of securing back-to-back titles with a high-scoring triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Given a tough assignment at a hostile venue against a formidable Bulls side including stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the interval.
But, demonstrating their pedigree, they unleashed their power in the second period, storming back to secure a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls to zero after the interval.
France international machines Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any outfit with that pair on the edges has a chance against any opponent.
Impressive Bath Appear Equipped of A Deep Run
Bath's sole success in this competition was almost a generation ago. In the years since, they have perhaps not been more prepared to add a second star.
The reigning domestic title-holders are setting the pace in the league after six games and will be aiming to carry that momentum into the Champions Cup – on the back of a unexpected elimination last year.
Johann van Graan's men looked a very complete and polished team in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are third in the United Rugby Championship.
They blend offensive flair – sealing the bonus point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, keeping their opponents at bay when they looked like mounting a late rally.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and strength in depth all over the squad, they have to be considered serious contenders for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the group stage the previous year occurred in the following week, an narrow 22-21 loss at Benetton with a rotated team.
Having secured a league trophy in their history and leading domestically again, Van Graan may feel able to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Tough Start
The tournament contains quality outfits throughout the draw, but Pool One looks set to be one of the most competitive.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is made about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the first day might just be pivotal.
The Glasgow Warriors were two scores behind after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries early in the second period gave them a all-important maximum haul.
By achieving this, they provided their hopes of advancing a positive start and, in turn, handed a hefty blow to their opponents.
With the French giants – imperious 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, in the same section, we can expect plenty of fireworks.
And what of Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They produced one of their best European performances in recent memory to surprise heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Could Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Puzzle?
Should you pick one side you would predict to be challenging at the later stages of the continental campaign, it would be European giants Leinster.
Yet in recent campaigns it hasn't gone to plan, as they have promised much but fallen short. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat a year ago after backing up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was hoped that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to secure the title, but they were caught out and suffered a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This year they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a scoring pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Ready to Step Up
Ever since the teams from South Africa entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and in the last campaign no South African side was able to progress out of the pool phase, with often weakened teams used.
Is this the year that turns around? The Stormers are leading the URC and kicked off their European campaign with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were encouraging too, with players and coaches expressing their aspirations, and the players such as South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the opening victory.
The Stormers seem the most likely contender for a team from South Africa to go deep into the event, yet write off the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in the opening round but did face Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
The English and French Sides Deliver a Thrilling Contest
There were multiple possibilities for best fixture, and this one was right up there.
Pau have been having a brilliant season, guided by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are presently second in the French championship and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
