Now that the initial matches of the 2025-26 Champions Cup concluded, we explore the key revelations emerging from the weekend's action.
Gallic supremacy has been the narrative in recent seasons, with the past five winners all hailing from France's elite division. However, the initial stage featured a number of impressive wins from new contenders.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Defend Their Title
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in Europe the previous campaign, dismantling Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the final.
Lying sixth in the French league, doubts have been raised about their ability to repeat the feat this year. But, in round one, Bordeaux sent a message that they are fully equipped of winning back-to-back titles with a high-scoring win on the road in South Africa.
Handed a challenging fixture at the Bulls' fortress against a strong Bulls side featuring talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the break.
However, true to their champion status, they showed their quality in the second period, fighting back to seal a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls scoreless after the halftime.
Les Bleus stars phenoms Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any outfit with that pair on the wings is a threat against any opponent.
Impressive Bath Appear Equipped of Going the Distance
Bath's only triumph in this competition came almost a generation ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have perhaps not been more strongly positioned to add a second star.
The current English champions are top of the pile domestically after six games and will be aiming to carry that momentum into continental competition – on the back of a shocking early departure last year.
Johann van Graan's team looked a very complete and balanced unit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are among the leaders in the URC.
They marry offensive flair – sealing the extra point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, restraining their visitors at a distance when they threatened a fightback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and quality reserves throughout the squad, they must be viewed as genuine challengers for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's key result in the group stage a year ago occurred in the following week, an narrow 22-21 setback at Benetton with a changed side.
Having secured a domestic championship under their belt and setting the pace the home league, Van Graan could be inclined to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Significant Setback
The tournament contains quality outfits throughout the draw, but their section seems destined 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 Friday evening might just prove crucial.
The Glasgow Warriors were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a all-important maximum haul.
By achieving this, they provided their hopes of advancing a positive start and, by contrast, handed a hefty blow to the Sharks.
With the French giants – imperious 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, also in the pool, we can expect many thrilling contests.
And regarding Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They turned in one of their top continental showings in years to stun former champions Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Is Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Puzzle?
When considering a contender you would expect to be there or thereabouts at the sharp end of the Champions Cup, it would be European giants Leinster.
Yet in recent seasons it hasn't gone to plan, as they have been favourites but not won the trophy. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat the previous campaign after following up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was believed that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to win the championship, but they were caught out and endured a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This season they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a scoring pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to secure European glory to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Seem Equipped to Compete
From the moment the SA franchises joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the quarter-finals, and last year not a single one was able to progress out of the group stage, with often rotated sides fielded.
Could this be the season that turns around? The Stormers are first in the URC and started their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were promising too, with individuals involved speaking of their aspirations, and the caliber of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the round-one win.
The Stormers look the strongest candidate for a team from South Africa to go deep into the competition, yet do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated this weekend but did face formidable opponents respectively.
Saints and Pau Produce a Classic Encounter
There were multiple possibilities for match of the round, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was among the best.
Pau have been having a brilliant campaign, spearheaded by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker 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
