Following the initial matches of the 2025-26 Champions Cup wrapped up, we explore the major talking points stemming from the weekend's action.
French dominance has ruled the roost in the past few campaigns, with the previous five victors all representing France's Top 14. However, the initial stage featured multiple statement victories from new challengers.
Bordeaux Look Set to Go Back-to-Back
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in Europe the previous campaign, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the grand finale.
Positioned sixth in the domestic standings, some have suggested about their ability to repeat the accomplishment now. Yet, in their opener, Bordeaux sent a message that they are well-positioned of winning consecutive championships with a high-scoring triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Given a challenging fixture at a hostile venue against a formidable Bulls side including stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at half-time.
Yet, demonstrating their pedigree, they showed their quality in the second half, roaring back to secure a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls scoreless after the break.
French try-scoring phenoms Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any side with such firepower on the edges stands a good chance against any opponent.
Formidable Bath Appear Equipped of Going the Distance
Bath's sole success in Europe came almost a generation ago. Since that time, they have perhaps not been more strongly positioned to win it again.
The reigning domestic title-holders are top of the pile in the league after six games and will be hoping to carry that momentum into the Champions Cup – especially after a unexpected elimination in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's side looked a extremely well-rounded and balanced unit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are highly placed in the Celtic league.
They marry attacking verve – sealing the bonus point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, keeping their opponents at arm's length when they threatened a late rally.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and a deep squad throughout the roster, they must be viewed as serious contenders for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's key result in the pools a year ago came in the following week, an narrow 22-21 setback at Benetton with a squad players.
After winning a Premiership title to their name and setting the pace domestically again, Van Graan might decide to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Significant Setback
There are powerful sides in every pool, but Pool One appears poised to be one of the most competitive.
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 be pivotal.
The Scottish side were two scores behind after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries early in the second half gave them a precious bonus-point win.
By achieving this, they handed their chances of progressing a significant early boost and, by contrast, handed a significant setback to their opponents.
With the French giants – commanding 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, also in the pool, we can expect plenty of fireworks.
And as for Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They delivered one of their best European performances in a long time to stun former champions Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Could Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Quest?
When considering a contender you would predict to be challenging at the sharp end of the continental campaign, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
However in recent campaigns it has ended in disappointment, as they have been favourites but delivered little. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat the previous campaign after backing up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was believed that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to win the championship, but they were surprised and experienced a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This season they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a try assist on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Appear Equipped to Compete
From the moment the SA franchises entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and last year no South African side managed to make it out of the group stage, with several squads not at full strength fielded.
Will this be the campaign that changes? The Stormers are first in the URC and started their continental journey with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.
The words from players and coaches were positive too, with the squad and staff expressing their aspirations, and the players such as Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the first match.
The Stormers appear the strongest candidate for a SA franchise to go deep into the competition, yet do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in the opening round but did play the French powerhouses respectively.
Saints and Pau Produce a Memorable Match
There were a few contenders for match of the round, and this one was a leading candidate.
Pau have been enjoying a brilliant campaign, spearheaded by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are right now runner-up in the French league and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
