With the opening salvo of the 2025-26 Champions Cup concluded, we explore the key revelations highlighted by the weekend's action.
Top 14 superiority has been the narrative in recent seasons, with the last five champions all representing France's Top 14. However, the opening round featured multiple convincing performances from emerging rivals.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Go Back-to-Back
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in the competition last season, dominating Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the final.
Currently sitting sixth in the Top 14, questions have been asked about their chances of defending the title this year. But, in their opener, Bordeaux served notice that they are more than capable of winning consecutive championships with a high-scoring triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Given a difficult tie at the Bulls' fortress against a strong Bulls side featuring stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the break.
Yet, demonstrating their pedigree, they showed their quality in the second half, fighting back to claim a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls to zero after the break.
Les Bleus stars machines Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any side with those two on the flanks is a threat against whoever they face.
Impressive Bath Look Capable of A Deep Run
Bath's sole success in Europe dates back almost three decades ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have probably never been better equipped to add a second star.
The defending English Premiership champions are leading the way at home after six games and will be aiming to carry that momentum into continental competition – particularly following a shocking early departure last year.
Johann van Graan's team looked a very complete and polished team in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are third in the Celtic league.
They combine creative spark – sealing the bonus point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, keeping their opponents at arm's length when they attempted a late rally.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and quality reserves throughout the team, they are surely genuine challengers for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the group stage last season came in the second round, an agonising 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a changed side.
After winning a domestic championship in their history and leading domestically again, Van Graan might decide to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Major Blow
The tournament contains strong teams everywhere you look, but Pool One looks set to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the existing pool system, a lot is said about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the opening night might just be pivotal.
The Scottish side were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries early in the second period gave them a all-important maximum haul.
With this result, they provided their chances of progressing a significant early boost and, by contrast, dealt a hefty blow to the Sharks.
With the red and blacks – dominant 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, in the same section, we are likely to see high-stakes drama.
And as for Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They produced one of their finest displays in Europe in a long time to stun heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for the Scottish game.
Is Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Quest?
Should you pick one side you would predict to be there or thereabouts at the later stages of the Champions Cup, it would be European giants Leinster.
However in recent campaigns it has not worked out, as they have been favourites but not won the trophy. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites a year ago after backing up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was thought that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to take them over the line, but they were caught out and experienced a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi.
Now they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a key pass 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 Appear Equipped to Compete
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 managed to make it out of the pool phase, with plenty of rotated sides fielded.
Is this the year that changes? The Stormers are leading the URC and began their continental journey with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.
The words from players and coaches were positive too, with players and coaches speaking of their ambition, and the players such as South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the round-one win.
The Stormers appear the most likely contender for a team from South Africa to progress far in the tournament, although write off the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in their first games but did meet formidable opponents respectively.
Saints and Pau Produce a Thrilling Contest
There were several candidates for match of the round, and that clash was a leading candidate.
Pau have been having a outstanding campaign, spearheaded by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are currently second in the French championship and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
