With the initial matches of the 2025-26 Champions Cup in the books, we explore the primary lessons emerging from the weekend's action.
Top 14 superiority has been the narrative in the past few campaigns, with the last five champions all hailing from France's elite division. Yet, the opening round included several convincing performances from new challengers.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Defend Their Title
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in the competition last season, dismantling Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the grand finale.
Currently sitting sixth in the domestic standings, questions have been asked about their capacity to retain the feat now. But, in their opener, Bordeaux served notice that they are fully equipped of winning another trophy with a high-scoring triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Handed a difficult tie 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, as champions do, they displayed their class in the second period, roaring back to claim a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls to zero after the interval.
Les Bleus stars aces Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any outfit with those two on the wings stands a good chance against whoever they face.
Powerful Bath Look Capable of A Deep Run
Bath's only triumph in Europe came almost 30 years ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have perhaps not been better equipped to secure another title.
The current English champions are top of the pile in the league after six games and will be aiming to carry that momentum into Europe – particularly following a surprise group-stage exit the previous season.
Johann van Graan's team looked a very complete and polished team in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are highly placed in the URC.
They marry offensive flair – securing the bonus point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, restraining their guests at arm's length when they threatened a late rally.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and strength in depth throughout the squad, they must be viewed as credible threats for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the initial phase the previous year occurred in the following week, an agonising 22-21 setback at Benetton with a changed side.
After winning a Premiership title under their belt and setting the pace domestically again, Van Graan might decide to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Major Blow
There are strong teams everywhere you look, but Pool One looks set to be one of the tightest.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is emphasized regarding securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on Friday evening might just be pivotal.
The Scottish side were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries during the beginning of the second period gave them a valuable maximum haul.
In doing so, they provided their hopes of advancing a major lift and, by contrast, handed a hefty blow to Sale.
With the French giants – dominant 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, also in the pool, we can expect plenty of fireworks.
And what of Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They delivered one of their best European performances in a long time to surprise former champions Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for Scottish rugby.
Is Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Quest?
If there's one team you would fancy to be there or thereabouts at the business end of the season in Europe, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
Yet in recent campaigns it hasn't gone to plan, as they have been favourites but delivered little. Beaten 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 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was hoped that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to win the championship, but they were surprised and endured a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi.
Now they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a key pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to return the cup to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Seem Prepared to Challenge
Ever since the teams from South Africa entered 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 was able to progress out of the pool phase, with several weakened teams selected.
Will this be the campaign that changes? The Stormers are leading 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 promising too, with players and coaches expressing their aspirations, and the players such as Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the round-one win.
The Stormers seem the strongest candidate for a team from South Africa to have a long run in the competition, yet do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated this weekend but did face formidable opponents respectively.
The English and French Sides Deliver a Memorable Match
There were a few contenders for match of the round, and that clash was a leading candidate.
Pau have been having a brilliant campaign, led by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are currently runner-up in the Top 14 and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
