Now that the first round of the 2025-26 Champions Cup in the books, we examine the major talking points stemming from the games.
French dominance has been the narrative in the past few campaigns, with the last five champions all calling home France's elite division. Yet, the opening round showcased multiple convincing performances from emerging contenders.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Defend Their Title
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in Europe the previous campaign, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and subsequently Northampton in the showpiece.
Currently sitting sixth in the domestic standings, doubts have been raised about their chances of defending the accomplishment this year. However, in their opener, Bordeaux sent a message that they are fully equipped of winning another trophy with a points-laden triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Handed a challenging fixture at the Bulls' fortress against a strong Bulls side boasting talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the interval.
But, as champions do, they showed their quality in the second half, fighting back to secure a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls to zero after the break.
Les Bleus stars phenoms Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any side with that pair on the flanks stands a good chance against any opponent.
Impressive Bath Seem Poised of Going the Distance
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 setting the pace in the league after six games and will be hoping to carry that momentum into continental competition – on the back of a unexpected elimination in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's team looked a highly composed and composed outfit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are among the leaders in the Celtic league.
They marry offensive flair – earning the try-scoring point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, keeping their opponents at arm's length when they looked like mounting a fightback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and a deep squad across the squad, they must be viewed as serious contenders for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the group stage a year ago was in the second round, an heartbreaking 22-21 setback at Benetton with a squad players.
Having secured a league trophy in their history and top domestically again, Van Graan could be inclined to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Significant Setback
The tournament contains powerful sides everywhere you look, but their section appears poised to be one of the tightest.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is emphasized regarding winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the first day might just prove crucial.
The team from Scotland were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries during the beginning of the second period gave them a valuable five points.
By achieving this, they gave their prospects of qualification a significant early boost and, by contrast, handed a hefty blow to their opponents.
With Toulouse – commanding 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, sharing the group, we are likely to see high-stakes drama.
And regarding Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They delivered one of their best European performances in recent memory to shock three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for Scottish rugby.
Will Ioane Be the Final Piece of the Leinster Puzzle?
Should you pick one side you would fancy to be challenging at the later stages of the continental campaign, it would be European giants Leinster.
However in the last few years it has not worked out, as they have been favourites but delivered little. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites the previous campaign after following up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
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 suffered a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This year they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a key pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Seem Ready to Step Up
Ever since the teams from South Africa became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and last year not a single one managed to make it out of the pool phase, with plenty of squads not at full strength fielded.
Could this be the season that changes? The Stormers are first in the URC and kicked off their continental journey with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The reactions after the game were encouraging too, with players and coaches expressing their aspirations, and the likes of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the opening victory.
The Stormers appear the strongest candidate for a team from South Africa to go deep into 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 Classic Encounter
There were multiple possibilities for game of the weekend, and that clash was among the best.
Pau have been experiencing a brilliant campaign, spearheaded by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are currently runner-up in the Top 14 and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
