With the opening salvo of the 2025-26 Champions Cup wrapped up, we examine the primary lessons emerging from the games.
French dominance has been the narrative in recent years, with the past five winners all calling home France's elite division. However, the initial stage featured multiple convincing performances from potential contenders.
Bordeaux Look Set to Retain Their Crown
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in Europe last season, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the grand finale.
Currently sitting sixth in the domestic standings, doubts have been raised about their ability to repeat the title this year. Yet, in their opener, Bordeaux served notice that they are well-positioned of achieving back-to-back titles with a free-flowing triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Faced with a challenging fixture at Loftus Versfeld against a strong Bulls side featuring internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the break.
Yet, demonstrating their pedigree, they displayed their class in the second half, fighting back to secure a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls to zero after the interval.
France international phenoms Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any outfit with those two on the wings is a threat against any opponent.
Impressive Bath Appear Equipped of Going the Distance
Bath's lone victory in the Champions Cup was almost 30 years ago. Since that time, they have arguably not been more strongly positioned to win it again.
The defending English Premiership champions are top of the pile domestically after six games and will be hoping to carry that momentum into continental competition – particularly following a shocking early departure last year.
Johann van Graan's team looked a very complete and composed outfit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are among the leaders in the Celtic league.
They combine creative spark – earning the extra point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, restraining their opponents at arm's length when they attempted a dramatic comeback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and quality reserves all over the roster, they are surely genuine challengers for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the group stage last season came in the following week, an heartbreaking 22-21 setback at Benetton with a changed side.
Now with a domestic championship to their name and top in England once more, Van Graan may feel able to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Significant Setback
The tournament contains quality outfits everywhere you look, but Pool One appears poised to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the existing pool system, a lot is made about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the first day might just turn out to be vital.
The Glasgow Warriors were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a valuable maximum haul.
With this result, they handed their hopes of advancing a positive start and, conversely, handed a hefty blow to Sale.
With the French giants – commanding 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, also in the pool, we should be in for high-stakes drama.
And what of Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They produced one of their best European performances in years to shock three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for Scottish rugby.
Will Ioane Be the Key Addition of the Leinster Puzzle?
When considering a contender you would fancy to be there or thereabouts at the sharp end of the continental campaign, it would be European giants Leinster.
However in recent seasons it has ended in disappointment, as they have shown great potential but not won the trophy. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites last season after backing up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was believed that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to take them over the line, but they were surprised and suffered a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This year they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a try assist on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to secure European glory to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Look Ready to Step Up
Ever since the teams from South Africa joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the last eight, and the previous season no South African side succeeded in getting out of the group stage, with often squads not at full strength fielded.
Could this be the season that is different? The Stormers are top of the URC and began their continental journey with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on Friday.
The words from players and coaches were encouraging too, with individuals involved talking about their goals, and the players such as South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the opening victory.
The Stormers seem the most likely contender for a SA franchise to have a long run in the competition, although don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in the opening round but did play the French powerhouses respectively.
The English and French Sides Serve Up a Thrilling Contest
There were several candidates for match of the round, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was among the best.
Pau have been having a outstanding season, guided by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are right now second in the French championship and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
