Following the first round of the 2025-26 Champions Cup wrapped up, we examine the primary lessons stemming from the games.
Top 14 superiority has been the narrative in the past few campaigns, with the past five winners all representing France's Top 14. However, the first weekend showcased multiple impressive wins from potential rivals.
Bordeaux Look Set to Defend Their Title
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in Europe the previous campaign, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the final.
Lying sixth in the French league, doubts have been raised about their capacity to retain the title this season. Yet, in round one, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are well-positioned of securing consecutive championships with a points-laden away victory in South Africa.
Given a challenging fixture at a hostile venue against a strong Bulls side including internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the interval.
But, demonstrating their pedigree, they displayed their class in the second period, fighting back to seal a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls without a point after the halftime.
Les Bleus stars machines Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any outfit with that pair on the wings has a chance against whoever they face.
Formidable Bath Seem Poised of A Deep Run
Bath's lone victory in this competition came almost three decades ago. In the years since, they have probably never been better equipped to secure another title.
The reigning domestic title-holders are setting the pace in the league after six games and will be looking to transfer that success into continental competition – on the back of a surprise group-stage exit the previous season.
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 Celtic league.
They blend attacking verve – securing the bonus point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, holding their opponents at a distance when they threatened a fightback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and quality reserves all over the team, they have to be considered genuine challengers for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the initial phase the previous year was in the next fixture, an heartbreaking 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a changed side.
Having secured a Premiership title under their belt and top the home league, Van Graan could be inclined to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Major Blow
There are strong teams everywhere you look, but their section appears poised to be one of the most competitive.
In the competition's present structure, 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 14-0 down after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries during the beginning of the second half gave them a all-important bonus-point win.
In doing so, they gave their prospects of qualification a significant early boost and, in turn, handed a significant setback to their opponents.
With the red and blacks – imperious 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, sharing the group, we can expect plenty of fireworks.
And as for Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They turned in one of their top continental showings in years to shock heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Will Ioane Be the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Puzzle?
Should you pick one side you would predict to be in the mix at the sharp end of the Champions Cup, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
But in recent seasons it has not worked out, as they have shown great potential but delivered little. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat last season after following up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition 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 ambushed and endured a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This season they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a try assist on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Look Prepared to Challenge
From the moment the SA franchises joined 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 selected.
Could this be the season that is different? The Stormers are top of the URC and started their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were positive too, with individuals involved speaking of their goals, and the players such as South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the first match.
The Stormers seem the strongest candidate for a team from South Africa to have a long run in the event, but do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in their first games but did play Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Saints and Pau Serve Up a Classic Encounter
There were a few contenders for best fixture, and this one was among the best.
Pau have been enjoying a outstanding season, led 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
