With the first round of the 2025-26 Champions Cup wrapped up, we examine the primary lessons highlighted by the fixtures.
French dominance has been the narrative in recent years, with the last five champions all representing France's elite division. But, the initial stage included several impressive wins from potential contenders.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Defend Their Title
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in this tournament last season, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the showpiece.
Lying sixth in the domestic standings, questions have been asked about their capacity to retain the accomplishment now. However, in the first round, Bordeaux sent a message that they are well-positioned of securing another trophy with a points-laden away victory in South Africa.
Given a tough assignment at Loftus Versfeld against a formidable Bulls side featuring internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the break.
But, as champions do, they displayed their class in the final 40 minutes, storming back to secure a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls without a point after the interval.
French try-scoring phenoms Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any side with those two on the flanks is a threat against whoever they face.
Powerful Bath Appear Equipped of Going the Distance
Bath's sole success in Europe dates back almost a generation ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have arguably not been better equipped to win it again.
The current English champions are top of the pile in the league after six games and will be looking to transfer that success into continental competition – particularly following a unexpected elimination in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's side looked a highly composed and composed outfit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are highly placed in the United Rugby Championship.
They combine attacking verve – earning the try-scoring point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, keeping their visitors at arm's length when they threatened a fightback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and a deep squad throughout the roster, they have to be considered genuine challengers for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's key result in the group stage the previous year came in the next fixture, an narrow 22-21 loss at Benetton with a rotated team.
After winning a league trophy to their name and setting the pace in England once more, Van Graan may feel able to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Tough Start
You will find quality outfits everywhere you look, but the first group appears poised to be one of the tightest.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is made about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the opening night might just prove crucial.
The team from Scotland were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a precious bonus-point win.
With this result, they gave their chances of progressing a major lift and, conversely, handed a damaging defeat to the Sharks.
With the red and blacks – imperious 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, in the same section, we are likely to see plenty of fireworks.
And as for Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They produced one of their top continental showings in years to surprise heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for Scottish rugby.
Is Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Puzzle?
If there's one team you would expect to be challenging at the later stages of the continental campaign, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
Yet in recent seasons it has ended in disappointment, as they have been favourites but delivered little. 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 last 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was hoped that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to secure the title, but they were surprised and endured a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This year they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a scoring pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Ready to Step Up
From the moment the SA franchises entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the last eight, and in the last campaign no South African side managed to make it out of the group stage, with several weakened teams fielded.
Is this the year that is different? The Stormers are leading the URC and kicked off their European campaign with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were encouraging too, with players and coaches expressing their ambition, and the players such as South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the opening victory.
The Stormers seem the most likely contender for a team from South Africa to have a long run in the competition, but write off the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat this weekend but did play the French powerhouses respectively.
Northampton and Pau Deliver a Thrilling Contest
There were a few contenders for game of the weekend, and that clash was right up there.
Pau have been enjoying a brilliant campaign, guided by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back 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
