Now that the opening salvo of the 2025-26 Champions Cup in the books, we delve into the key revelations stemming from the games.
Gallic supremacy has been the narrative in recent seasons, with the previous five victors all representing France's top flight. Yet, the opening round included several impressive wins from emerging contenders.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Defend Their Title
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were imperious in the competition a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the final.
Currently sitting sixth in the French league, doubts have been raised about their capacity to retain the feat this season. But, in their opener, Bordeaux sent a message that they are fully equipped of achieving another trophy with a points-laden win on the road in South Africa.
Given a challenging fixture at the Bulls' fortress against a powerful Bulls side featuring internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the interval.
However, true to their champion status, they showed their quality in the second period, fighting back to secure a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls scoreless after the interval.
France international aces Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any team with that pair on the wings has a chance against any competition.
Formidable Bath Look Capable of Challenging for the Title
Bath's only triumph in Europe was almost 30 years ago. In the years since, they have probably never been more prepared 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 the Champions Cup – especially after a unexpected elimination the previous season.
Johann van Graan's men looked a very complete and polished team in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are highly placed in the United Rugby Championship.
They combine creative spark – sealing the bonus point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, holding their guests at arm's length when they threatened a dramatic comeback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and a deep squad all over the roster, they have to be considered serious contenders for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the group stage last season was in the second round, an heartbreaking 22-21 setback at Benetton with a rotated team.
Having secured a domestic championship to their name and setting the pace domestically again, Van Graan may feel able to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Tough Start
The tournament contains powerful sides throughout the draw, but their section appears poised to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is said about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the opening night might just be pivotal.
The Scottish side were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries early in the second period gave them a valuable maximum haul.
With this result, they gave their prospects of qualification a positive start and, in turn, dealt a damaging defeat to their opponents.
With the red and blacks – imperious 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, in the same section, we are likely to see many thrilling contests.
And what of Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They produced one of their top continental showings in recent memory to surprise former champions Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for the Scottish game.
Is Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Jigsaw?
When considering a contender you would fancy to be there or thereabouts at the business end of the season in Europe, it would be European giants Leinster.
But in recent campaigns it hasn't gone to plan, as they have been favourites but fallen short. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat the previous campaign after backing up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was thought that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the key player to take them over the line, but they were surprised and endured a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This season they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a scoring pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem 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 last year none of them succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with several squads not at full strength fielded.
Will this be the campaign that is different? The Stormers are first in the URC and began their continental journey with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.
The reactions after the game were positive too, with players and coaches expressing their ambition, and the caliber of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the first match.
The Stormers seem the most likely contender for a team from South Africa to go deep into the competition, although write off the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated this weekend but did play the French powerhouses respectively.
The English and French Sides Produce a Thrilling Contest
There were several candidates for best fixture, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was a leading candidate.
Pau have been experiencing a superb campaign, guided by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are currently in second place in the Top 14 and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
