With the opening salvo of the 2025-26 Champions Cup wrapped up, we examine the major talking points highlighted by the weekend's action.
Gallic supremacy has ruled the roost in the past few campaigns, with the previous five victors all representing France's top flight. However, the opening round included multiple impressive wins from new contenders.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Defend Their Title
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in the competition a year ago, dominating Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the showpiece.
Positioned sixth in the French league, doubts have been raised about their capacity to retain the feat this year. But, in the first round, Bordeaux sent a message that they are fully equipped of achieving back-to-back titles with a high-scoring away victory in South Africa.
Handed a challenging fixture at Loftus Versfeld against a strong Bulls side including talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at half-time.
Yet, demonstrating their pedigree, they showed their quality in the second half, roaring back to claim a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls without a point after the interval.
French try-scoring aces Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any team with those two on the edges stands a good chance against any opponent.
Formidable Bath Seem Poised of A Deep Run
Bath's only triumph in the Champions Cup dates back almost three decades ago. In the years since, they have perhaps not been more strongly positioned to win it again.
The reigning domestic title-holders are setting the pace at home after six games and will be hoping to transfer that success into continental competition – particularly following a surprise group-stage exit the previous season.
Johann van Graan's men looked a very complete and polished team in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are highly placed in the Celtic league.
They marry creative spark – securing the try-scoring point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, keeping their guests at a distance when they looked like mounting a fightback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and quality reserves across the squad, they have to be considered serious contenders for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's key result in the initial phase a year ago came in the second round, an heartbreaking 22-21 loss at Benetton with a squad players.
Now with a Premiership title under their belt and leading the home league, Van Graan could be inclined to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Significant Setback
You will find strong teams in every pool, but their section appears poised to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is made about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the opening night might just prove crucial.
The Glasgow Warriors were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries early in the second period gave them a precious maximum haul.
With this result, they handed their chances of progressing a major lift and, in turn, handed a significant setback to the Sharks.
With the red and blacks – dominant 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, in the same section, we can expect plenty of fireworks.
And what of Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They turned in one of their top continental showings in years to stun three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for the Scottish game.
Could Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Jigsaw?
If there's one team you would expect to be challenging at the business end of the continental campaign, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
Yet in recent seasons it hasn't gone to plan, as they have shown great potential but delivered little. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites last season after building on a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was hoped that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the key player to take them over the line, but they were surprised and endured a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the last four.
Now they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a key pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to return the cup to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Appear Ready to Step Up
Since the South African sides joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the quarter-finals, and the previous season no South African side was able to progress out of the group stage, with several weakened teams used.
Will this be the campaign that is different? The Stormers are leading the URC and kicked off their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on the opening night.
The words from players and coaches were promising too, with players and coaches expressing their aspirations, and the caliber of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the opening victory.
The Stormers seem the most likely contender for a SA franchise to have a long run in the event, yet do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat this weekend but did meet the French powerhouses respectively.
Northampton and Pau Deliver a Thrilling Contest
There were several candidates for best fixture, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was a leading candidate.
Pau have been experiencing a outstanding season, spearheaded by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are currently runner-up in the French championship and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
