Following the opening salvo of the 2025-26 Champions Cup in the books, we explore the primary lessons emerging from the weekend's action.
French dominance has ruled the roost in recent years, with the past five winners all calling home France's Top 14. However, the first weekend showcased several convincing performances from potential rivals.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Go Back-to-Back
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in Europe the previous campaign, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the final.
Positioned sixth in the French league, doubts have been raised about their chances of defending the accomplishment this year. But, in the first round, Bordeaux served notice that they are more than capable of achieving consecutive championships with a free-flowing win on the road in South Africa.
Given a challenging fixture at a hostile venue against a strong Bulls side boasting internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the break.
But, true to their champion status, they displayed their class in the second half, roaring back to claim a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls scoreless after the break.
French try-scoring aces Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any outfit with that pair on the edges has a chance against any competition.
Impressive Bath Seem Poised of Challenging for the Title
Bath's sole success in this competition was almost 30 years ago. In the years since, they have perhaps not been more prepared to add a second star.
The reigning domestic title-holders are setting the pace in the league after six games and will be looking to carry that momentum into Europe – especially after a surprise group-stage exit last year.
Johann van Graan's men looked a extremely well-rounded and composed outfit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are third in the Celtic league.
They blend creative spark – sealing the try-scoring point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, holding their opponents at a distance when they attempted a fightback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and strength in depth all over the roster, they have to be considered serious contenders for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's key result in the pools a year ago came in the second round, an heartbreaking 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a changed side.
After winning a Premiership title under their belt and top domestically again, Van Graan might decide to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Tough Start
You will find quality outfits in every pool, but the first group seems destined to be one of the most competitive.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is made about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the first day might just prove crucial.
The team from Scotland were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries early in the second period gave them a valuable bonus-point win.
By achieving this, they provided their prospects of qualification a significant early boost and, conversely, inflicted a significant setback to their opponents.
With Toulouse – imperious 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, in the same section, we can expect plenty of fireworks.
And what of Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They turned in one of their best European performances in years to surprise former champions Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Is Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Jigsaw?
If there's one team you would fancy to be there or thereabouts at the later stages of the continental campaign, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
But in recent seasons it has not worked out, as they have shown great potential but delivered little. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites the previous campaign after building on a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was thought that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the key player to secure the title, but they were surprised and suffered a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This year they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a key pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Appear Prepared to Challenge
Since the South African sides became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the last eight, and in the last campaign none of them succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with plenty of rotated sides selected.
Is this the year that turns around? The Stormers are leading the URC and started their European campaign with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on the opening night.
The reactions after the game were encouraging too, with the squad and staff talking about their aspirations, and the caliber of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the opening victory.
The Stormers look the best bet for a South African side to progress far in the event, yet do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated this weekend but did play formidable opponents respectively.
Saints and Pau Serve Up a Classic Encounter
There were a few contenders for match of the round, and that clash was a leading candidate.
Pau have been enjoying a outstanding season, guided by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are presently in second place in the Top 14 and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
