With the initial matches of the 2025-26 Champions Cup concluded, we examine the major talking points emerging from the fixtures.
Gallic supremacy has ruled the roost in recent seasons, with the previous five victors all representing France's top flight. Yet, the initial stage included multiple statement victories from potential contenders.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Go Back-to-Back
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in this tournament a year ago, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the grand finale.
Lying sixth in the Top 14, doubts have been raised about their capacity to retain the feat this season. But, in the first round, Bordeaux served notice that they are fully equipped of securing another trophy with a free-flowing win on the road in South Africa.
Handed a tough assignment at a hostile venue against a powerful Bulls side boasting talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at half-time.
However, true to their champion status, they displayed their class in the final 40 minutes, fighting back to secure a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls scoreless after the interval.
France international machines Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any side with those two on the wings has a chance against any competition.
Impressive Bath Appear Equipped of Challenging for the Title
Bath's sole success in this competition was almost a generation ago. Since that time, they have arguably not been better equipped to win it again.
The defending English Premiership champions are top of the pile in the league after six games and will be aiming to carry that momentum into Europe – especially after a surprise group-stage exit the previous season.
Johann van Graan's side looked a very complete and composed outfit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are highly placed in the URC.
They marry offensive flair – sealing the extra point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, restraining their guests at a distance when they threatened a late rally.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and a deep squad throughout the roster, they have to be considered credible threats for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's key result in the pools a year ago was in the following week, an heartbreaking 22-21 loss at Benetton with a squad players.
Now with a domestic championship under their belt and top the home league, Van Graan might decide to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Give Sale a Tough Start
There are powerful sides everywhere you look, but their section looks set to be one of the most competitive.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is made about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the opening night might just be pivotal.
The team from Scotland were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a all-important bonus-point win.
By achieving this, they provided their prospects of qualification a positive start and, by contrast, dealt a damaging defeat to Sale.
With Toulouse – commanding 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, in the same section, we should be in for plenty of fireworks.
And what of Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They produced one of their top continental showings in recent memory to shock heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for Scottish rugby.
Could Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Quest?
Should you pick one side you would fancy to be there or thereabouts at the sharp end of the season in Europe, it would be European giants Leinster.
However in recent campaigns it has ended in disappointment, as they have promised much but fallen short. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites last season after backing up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was thought that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to secure the title, but they were ambushed and suffered a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
Now they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a try assist on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Equipped to Compete
From the moment the SA franchises became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the quarter-finals, and the previous season not a single one was able to progress out of the group stage, with plenty of rotated sides fielded.
Could this be the season that turns around? The Stormers are first in the URC and started their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.
The reactions after the game were promising too, with the squad and staff talking about their ambition, and the players such as South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the round-one win.
The Stormers seem the strongest candidate for a South African side to go deep into the tournament, although don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in their first games but did play the French powerhouses respectively.
Saints and Pau Serve Up a Memorable Match
There were multiple possibilities for best fixture, and this one was among the best.
Pau have been enjoying a brilliant campaign, guided by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are right now second in the French league and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
