Now that the first round of the 2025-26 Champions Cup wrapped up, we examine the primary lessons emerging from the games.
French dominance has defined the competition in the past few campaigns, with the previous five victors all representing France's Top 14. However, the opening round featured several convincing performances from emerging contenders.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Go Back-to-Back
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in the competition a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the final.
Currently sitting sixth in the French league, doubts have been raised about their capacity to retain the title now. But, in their opener, Bordeaux sent a message that they are more than capable of winning another trophy with a points-laden win on the road in South Africa.
Handed a tough assignment at a hostile venue against a powerful Bulls side boasting internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the interval.
However, true to their champion status, they unleashed their power in the final 40 minutes, roaring back to secure a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls to zero after the halftime.
Les Bleus stars aces Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any team with that pair on the edges stands a good chance against whoever they face.
Impressive Bath Look Capable of A Deep Run
Bath's sole success in this competition dates back almost 30 years ago. Since that time, they have probably never been better equipped to secure another title.
The defending English Premiership champions are setting the pace at home after six games and will be hoping to transfer that success into continental competition – on the back of a surprise group-stage exit last year.
Johann van Graan's side looked a highly composed and composed outfit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are highly placed in the United Rugby Championship.
They combine offensive flair – earning the try-scoring point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, restraining their guests at arm's length when they threatened a late rally.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and quality reserves all over the team, they have to be considered serious contenders for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the initial phase a year ago came in the next fixture, an narrow 22-21 loss at Benetton with a changed side.
Having secured a domestic championship under their belt and top the home league, Van Graan could be inclined to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Give Sale a Tough Start
The tournament contains quality outfits in every pool, but Pool One appears poised to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the existing pool system, a lot is emphasized regarding winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the first day might just prove crucial.
The Scottish side were two scores behind after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries during the beginning of the second half gave them a all-important bonus-point win.
In doing so, they handed their prospects of qualification a positive start and, in turn, inflicted a damaging defeat to Sale.
With the red and blacks – imperious 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, also in the pool, we can expect high-stakes drama.
And what of Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They turned in one of their top continental showings in years to surprise heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for the Scottish game.
Is Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Puzzle?
Should you pick one side you would fancy to be challenging at the sharp end of the season in Europe, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
But in the last few years it hasn't gone to plan, as they have been favourites but delivered little. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites the previous campaign after building on a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was hoped that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the key player to secure the title, but they were ambushed and endured a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This year they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a key pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove 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 not a single one was able to progress out of the pool phase, with several weakened teams used.
Could this be the season that is different? The Stormers are first in the URC and began their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were encouraging too, with the squad and staff expressing their aspirations, and the caliber of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the opening victory.
The Stormers appear the most likely contender for a South African side to progress far in the tournament, although don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in their first games but did meet Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Saints and Pau Produce a Memorable Match
There were multiple possibilities for match of the round, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was among the best.
Pau have been enjoying a brilliant season, 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 league and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
