Following the first round of the 2025-26 Champions Cup in the books, we examine the key revelations emerging from the fixtures.
French dominance has ruled the roost in the past few campaigns, with the previous five victors all calling home France's elite division. Yet, the first weekend included several impressive wins from new rivals.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Defend Their Title
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in Europe a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the showpiece.
Lying sixth in the French league, some have suggested about their chances of defending the title now. Yet, in the first round, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are well-positioned of achieving consecutive championships with a points-laden triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Handed a challenging fixture at Loftus Versfeld against a powerful Bulls side boasting internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the interval.
Yet, true to their champion status, they showed their quality in the second half, storming back to seal a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls without a point after the interval.
French try-scoring machines Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any side with those two on the flanks has a chance against whoever they face.
Powerful Bath Seem Poised of Challenging for the Title
Bath's only triumph in this competition came almost 30 years ago. In the years since, they have arguably not been more strongly positioned to win it again.
The current English champions are leading the way at home after six games and will be looking to carry that momentum into continental competition – on the back of a unexpected elimination in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's side looked a very complete and composed outfit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are among the leaders in the United Rugby Championship.
They combine offensive flair – sealing the extra point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, keeping their opponents at a distance 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 throughout the squad, they are surely genuine challengers for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's key result in the pools a year ago occurred in the following week, an narrow 22-21 loss at Benetton with a rotated team.
Now with a Premiership title under their belt and top domestically again, Van Graan may feel able to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Tough Start
There are strong teams in every pool, but Pool One appears poised to be one of the tightest.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is made about victories on your own turf, 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 team from Scotland were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a precious maximum haul.
By achieving this, they gave their hopes of advancing a positive start and, in turn, handed a significant setback to their opponents.
With the red and blacks – dominant 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, in the same section, we should be in for many thrilling contests.
And what of Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They turned in one of their best European performances in a long time to shock former champions Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for the Scottish game.
Will Ioane Be the Final Piece of the Leinster Jigsaw?
When considering a contender you would fancy to be challenging at the sharp end of the season in Europe, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
However in the last few years it has ended in disappointment, as they have been favourites but not won the trophy. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat last season after backing up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was hoped that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to secure the title, but they were surprised and experienced a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi.
Now they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a key pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 success against 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 entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the last eight, and the previous season not a single one succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with several weakened teams used.
Is this the year that changes? The Stormers are first in the URC and started their continental journey with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.
The reactions after the game were positive too, with the squad and staff talking about their aspirations, and the likes of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the round-one win.
The Stormers look the best bet for a South African side to progress far in the competition, yet do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in the opening round but did meet the French powerhouses respectively.
The English and French Sides Deliver a Classic Encounter
There were multiple possibilities for match of the round, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was a leading candidate.
Pau have been having a brilliant season, led by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are presently in second place in the French league and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
