Now that 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 recent seasons, with the past five winners all hailing from France's Top 14. However, the initial stage featured several statement victories from emerging contenders.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Defend Their Title
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in this tournament a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and subsequently Northampton in the grand finale.
Currently sitting sixth in the Top 14, questions have been asked about their capacity to retain the accomplishment now. Yet, in round one, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are well-positioned of winning back-to-back titles with a free-flowing win on the road in South Africa.
Handed a challenging fixture at a hostile venue against a powerful Bulls side featuring stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the break.
However, demonstrating their pedigree, they unleashed their power in the second period, roaring back to seal a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls without a point after the break.
France international aces Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any outfit with those two on the flanks has a chance against any competition.
Powerful Bath Seem Poised of Going the Distance
Bath's only triumph in the Champions Cup came almost three decades ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have perhaps not been better equipped to win it again.
The reigning domestic title-holders are top of the pile in the league after six games and will be hoping to carry that momentum into the Champions Cup – especially after a unexpected elimination in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's men looked a very complete and polished team in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are highly placed in the United Rugby Championship.
They marry attacking verve – securing the bonus point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, holding their opponents at arm's length when they attempted a late rally.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and a deep squad throughout the roster, they have to be considered genuine challengers for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the group stage a year ago occurred in the next fixture, an narrow 22-21 setback at Benetton with a rotated team.
Having secured a domestic championship under their belt and leading in England once more, Van Graan might decide to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Tough Start
You will find quality outfits in every pool, but the first group appears poised to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the existing pool system, a lot is said about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the opening night might just prove crucial.
The Scottish side were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a precious bonus-point win.
With this result, they provided their chances of progressing a positive start and, by contrast, dealt a significant setback to the Sharks.
With the French giants – commanding 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, also in the pool, we are likely to see high-stakes drama.
And what of Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They produced one of their finest displays in Europe in a long time to stun three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for the Scottish game.
Will Ioane Be the Final Piece of the Leinster Puzzle?
If there's one team you would predict to be challenging at the sharp end of the Champions Cup, it would be European giants Leinster.
But in recent campaigns it has not worked out, as they have been favourites but fallen short. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites last season after following up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 demolition 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.
This season they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a key pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Appear Equipped to Compete
Since the South African sides joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and last year no South African side succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with several weakened teams fielded.
Is this the year that turns around? The Stormers are first in the URC and started their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were encouraging too, with the squad and staff talking about their aspirations, and the caliber of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the round-one win.
The Stormers appear the strongest candidate for a South African side to go deep into the competition, yet don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost this weekend but did meet the French powerhouses respectively.
The English and French Sides Produce a Thrilling Contest
There were multiple possibilities for match of the round, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was right up there.
Pau have been having a outstanding campaign, led by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are presently in second place in the Top 14 and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
