With the opening salvo of the 2025-26 Champions Cup wrapped up, we examine the primary lessons highlighted by the games.
Gallic supremacy has ruled the roost in the past few campaigns, with the last five champions all calling home France's elite division. However, the first weekend included multiple statement victories from new challengers.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Defend Their Title
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in Europe last season, dominating Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the final.
Positioned sixth in the French league, some have suggested about their chances of defending the title this year. Yet, in their opener, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are well-positioned of achieving back-to-back titles with a free-flowing triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Handed a tough assignment 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 half-time.
Yet, demonstrating their pedigree, they unleashed their power in the second half, storming back to secure a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls scoreless after the break.
French try-scoring machines Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any outfit with that pair on the edges has a chance against any opponent.
Formidable Bath Look Capable of A Deep Run
Bath's lone victory in this competition dates back almost 30 years ago. Since that time, they have arguably not been better equipped to win it again.
The defending English Premiership champions are setting the pace domestically after six games and will be looking to transfer that success into continental competition – on the back of a surprise group-stage exit last year.
Johann van Graan's team looked a very complete and balanced unit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are among the leaders in the URC.
They marry attacking verve – earning the try-scoring point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, holding their opponents at a distance when they looked like mounting a late rally.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and quality reserves throughout the squad, they are surely serious contenders for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the pools the previous year was in the second round, an agonising 22-21 loss at Benetton with a changed side.
After winning a league trophy under their belt and leading domestically again, Van Graan could be inclined to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Significant Setback
There are powerful sides everywhere you look, but Pool One appears poised to be one of the most competitive.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is made about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the first day might just prove crucial.
The Glasgow Warriors were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a valuable bonus-point win.
By achieving this, they handed their prospects of qualification a major lift and, in turn, inflicted a hefty blow to the Sharks.
With Toulouse – dominant 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, also in the pool, we can expect high-stakes drama.
And what of Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They produced one of their best European performances in years to surprise former champions Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Could Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Quest?
Should you pick one side you would expect to be in the mix at the sharp end of the continental campaign, it would be European giants Leinster.
But in recent campaigns it has ended in disappointment, as they have promised much but fallen short. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat last season after backing up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was hoped that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to win the championship, but they were ambushed and suffered a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi.
Now they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a try assist on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Prepared to Challenge
Ever since the teams from South Africa became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the quarter-finals, and last year no South African side managed to make it out of the group stage, with often rotated sides used.
Is this the year that turns around? The Stormers are top of the URC and began their European campaign with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were positive too, with individuals involved expressing their ambition, and the likes of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the first match.
The Stormers look the best bet for a SA franchise to have a long run in the event, but do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat this weekend but did play formidable opponents respectively.
The English and French Sides Deliver a Classic Encounter
There were multiple possibilities for match of the round, and this one was a leading candidate.
Pau have been experiencing a outstanding campaign, guided by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are currently second in the French league and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
