Following the first round of the 2025-26 Champions Cup wrapped up, we delve into the major talking points stemming from the fixtures.
Top 14 superiority has ruled the roost in recent years, with the past five winners all representing France's Top 14. But, the first weekend featured several statement victories from potential rivals.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Retain Their Crown
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in the competition last season, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the final.
Lying sixth in the Top 14, questions have been asked about their chances of defending the title this season. Yet, in round one, Bordeaux served notice that they are fully equipped of securing consecutive championships with a high-scoring triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Given a difficult tie at a hostile venue against a powerful Bulls side featuring internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the break.
But, true to their champion status, they showed their quality in the final 40 minutes, fighting back to claim a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls scoreless after the interval.
Les Bleus stars machines Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any outfit with those two on the wings is a threat against any opponent.
Impressive Bath Seem Poised of Going the Distance
Bath's lone victory in the Champions Cup came almost a generation ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have arguably not been more strongly positioned to secure another title.
The reigning domestic title-holders are setting the pace domestically after six games and will be looking to transfer that success into the Champions Cup – particularly following a shocking early departure last year.
Johann van Graan's men looked a very complete and composed outfit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are among the leaders in the URC.
They blend creative spark – earning the bonus point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, restraining their opponents at bay when they attempted a late rally.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and quality reserves across the team, they have to be considered credible threats for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's key result in the pools a year ago occurred in the following week, an heartbreaking 22-21 setback at Benetton with a squad players.
Having secured a Premiership title under their belt and setting the pace the home league, Van Graan may feel able to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Tough Start
The tournament contains strong teams everywhere you look, but the first group appears poised to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is emphasized regarding securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the first day might just prove crucial.
The Glasgow Warriors were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries early in the second period gave them a precious bonus-point win.
With this result, they gave their hopes of advancing a significant early boost and, by contrast, inflicted a significant setback to the Sharks.
With the red and blacks – commanding 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, also in the pool, we should be in for plenty of fireworks.
And regarding Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They produced one of their finest displays in Europe in recent memory to shock three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for the Scottish game.
Could Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Jigsaw?
When considering a contender you would predict to be challenging at the later stages of the Champions Cup, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
However in recent seasons it has not worked out, as they have promised much but delivered little. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites the previous campaign after backing up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was believed that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the key player to secure the title, but they were caught out and experienced a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This year they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a try assist on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Look Prepared to Challenge
Since the South African sides entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the quarter-finals, and last year not a single one managed to make it out of the pool phase, with often weakened teams selected.
Will this be the campaign that is different? The Stormers are first in the URC and began their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.
The reactions after the game were encouraging too, with the squad and staff expressing their ambition, and the likes of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the first match.
The Stormers appear the strongest candidate for a team from South Africa to have a long run in the tournament, although don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in the opening round but did play Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
The English and French Sides Serve Up a Thrilling Contest
There were several candidates for match of the round, and that clash was right up there.
Pau have been having a superb campaign, spearheaded by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are right now runner-up in the French championship and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
