Following the opening salvo of the 2025-26 Champions Cup in the books, we examine the major talking points highlighted by the weekend's action.
Gallic supremacy has defined the competition in the past few campaigns, with the last five champions all representing France's top flight. But, the first weekend included multiple statement victories from new rivals.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Defend Their Title
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were imperious in Europe last season, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the grand finale.
Lying sixth in the domestic standings, some have suggested about their chances of defending the accomplishment this year. Yet, in round one, Bordeaux served notice that they are well-positioned of winning another trophy with a points-laden win on the road in South Africa.
Handed a tough assignment at a hostile venue against a formidable Bulls side including talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the interval.
Yet, as champions do, they showed their quality in the second half, storming back to claim a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls scoreless after the halftime.
French try-scoring phenoms Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any outfit with those two on the edges stands a good chance against whoever they face.
Formidable Bath Look Capable of Going the Distance
Bath's sole success in the Champions Cup came almost 30 years ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have perhaps not been more strongly positioned to secure another title.
The current English champions are top of the pile in the league after six games and will be looking to translate that form into Europe – especially after a shocking early departure the previous season.
Johann van Graan's side looked a highly composed and composed outfit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are highly placed in the United Rugby Championship.
They combine attacking verve – earning the extra point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, keeping their guests at arm's length when they attempted a late rally.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and strength in depth across the squad, they have to be considered serious contenders for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the pools the previous year occurred in the next fixture, an narrow 22-21 loss at Benetton with a rotated team.
Having secured a Premiership title under their belt and leading the home league, Van Graan might decide to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Significant Setback
There are quality outfits everywhere you look, but their section appears poised to be one of the tightest.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is made about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on Friday evening might just be pivotal.
The team from Scotland were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a precious maximum haul.
By achieving this, they gave their hopes of advancing a major lift and, in turn, inflicted a significant setback to their opponents.
With the red and blacks – commanding 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, in the same section, we can expect many thrilling contests.
And as for Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They turned in one of their top continental showings in recent memory to stun heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Is Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Jigsaw?
When considering a contender you would predict to be in the mix at the later stages of the season in Europe, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
Yet in the last few years it has ended in disappointment, as they have promised much but fallen short. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites a year ago after following up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was hoped that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the key player to win the championship, but they were ambushed and suffered a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This season they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a scoring pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to secure European glory 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 quarter-finals, and the previous season none of them managed to make it out of the pool phase, with plenty of weakened teams used.
Will this be the campaign that turns around? The Stormers are first in the URC and began their European campaign with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on Friday.
The words from players and coaches were encouraging too, with individuals involved speaking of their ambition, and the players such as South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the first match.
The Stormers seem the most likely contender for a South African side to have a long run in the tournament, yet don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat this weekend but did meet formidable opponents respectively.
The English and French Sides Produce a Thrilling Contest
There were multiple possibilities for match of the round, and that clash was right up there.
Pau have been enjoying a outstanding campaign, spearheaded by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are currently second in the Top 14 and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
