Following the first round of the 2025-26 Champions Cup wrapped up, we explore the key revelations highlighted by the games.
Top 14 superiority has been the narrative in recent seasons, with the last five champions all hailing from France's Top 14. But, the initial stage included several statement victories from new rivals.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Retain Their Crown
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in Europe the previous campaign, dismantling Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the final.
Lying sixth in the French league, doubts have been raised about their ability to repeat the feat this season. Yet, in round one, Bordeaux sent a message that they are well-positioned of winning another trophy with a high-scoring win on the road in South Africa.
Faced with a challenging fixture at Loftus Versfeld against a powerful Bulls side including talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the interval.
However, demonstrating their pedigree, they showed their quality in the second half, roaring back to seal a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls to zero after the break.
France international phenoms Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any side with that pair on the wings is a threat against any competition.
Powerful Bath Look Capable of A Deep Run
Bath's only triumph in the Champions Cup was almost three decades ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have perhaps not been more prepared to add a second star.
The current English champions are top of the pile at home after six games and will be looking to carry that momentum into Europe – on the back of a shocking early departure last year.
Johann van Graan's team looked a highly composed and composed outfit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are among the leaders in the Celtic league.
They combine creative spark – earning the bonus point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, keeping their guests at bay when they threatened a late rally.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and a deep squad across the team, they have to be considered credible threats for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the group stage a year ago came in the following week, an agonising 22-21 setback at Benetton with a changed side.
After winning a domestic championship under their belt and top the home league, Van Graan may feel able to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Give Sale a Major Blow
There are powerful sides everywhere you look, but the first group looks set to be one of the tightest.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is made about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on Friday evening might just prove crucial.
The Scottish side were two scores behind after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries early in the second half gave them a precious bonus-point win.
By achieving this, they gave their chances of progressing a positive start and, by contrast, handed a significant setback to their opponents.
With the red and blacks – imperious 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, in the same section, we are likely to see plenty of fireworks.
And regarding Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They produced one of their finest displays in Europe in years to shock three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Could Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Puzzle?
If there's one team you would fancy to be there or thereabouts at the later stages of the season in Europe, it would be European giants Leinster.
However in recent seasons it has not worked out, as they have promised much but delivered little. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites a year ago after backing up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was hoped that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to take them over the line, but they were surprised and experienced a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This season they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a try assist 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 Appear Ready to Step Up
Since the South African sides joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and last year none of them succeeded in getting out of the group stage, with often weakened teams fielded.
Could this be the season that changes? The Stormers are first in the URC and started their European campaign with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.
The words from players and coaches were promising too, with the squad and staff expressing their aspirations, and the likes of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the opening victory.
The Stormers seem the most likely contender for a team from South Africa to progress far in the competition, yet don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in the opening round but did meet the French powerhouses respectively.
Northampton and Pau Serve Up a Memorable Match
There were multiple possibilities for game of the weekend, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was right up there.
Pau have been enjoying a brilliant campaign, led by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are presently runner-up in the French championship and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
