With the initial matches of the 2025-26 Champions Cup wrapped up, we delve into the major talking points highlighted by the weekend's action.
Top 14 superiority has been the narrative in the past few campaigns, with the past five winners all hailing from France's Top 14. However, the opening round featured several impressive wins from emerging contenders.
Bordeaux Look Set to Retain Their Crown
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in the competition the previous campaign, dismantling Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the showpiece.
Lying sixth in the French league, doubts have been raised about their capacity to retain the accomplishment this season. But, in their opener, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are well-positioned of securing consecutive championships with a free-flowing win on the road in South Africa.
Given a difficult tie at a hostile venue against a strong Bulls side boasting internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the break.
But, true to their champion status, they showed their quality in the final 40 minutes, roaring back to secure a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls without a point after the interval.
French try-scoring machines Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any side with those two on the flanks stands a good chance against any competition.
Impressive Bath Seem Poised of Challenging for the Title
Bath's lone victory in Europe was almost three decades ago. Since that time, they have arguably not been more prepared to add a second star.
The defending English Premiership champions are top of the pile at home after six games and will be looking to carry that momentum into Europe – on the back of a surprise group-stage exit last year.
Johann van Graan's team looked a very complete and polished team in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are highly placed in the United Rugby Championship.
They marry creative spark – sealing the bonus point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, keeping their opponents at bay when they looked like mounting a dramatic comeback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and a deep squad throughout the team, they have to be considered serious contenders for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the initial phase the previous year came in the second round, an narrow 22-21 setback at Benetton with a changed side.
Now with a domestic championship under their belt and leading the home league, Van Graan may feel able to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Give Sale a Significant Setback
You will find strong teams in every pool, but the first group looks set to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the existing pool system, 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 prove crucial.
The team from Scotland were two scores behind after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a all-important five points.
By achieving this, they gave their hopes of advancing a significant early boost and, by contrast, inflicted a hefty blow to their opponents.
With the French giants – dominant 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, in the same section, we can expect high-stakes drama.
And as for Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They turned in one of their top continental showings in recent memory to shock former champions Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for the Scottish game.
Is Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Puzzle?
When considering a contender you would expect to be in the mix at the business end of the season in Europe, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
However in the last few years it hasn't gone to plan, as they have been favourites but fallen short. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites the previous campaign after backing up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was believed that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to take them over the line, but they were caught out and endured a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This year they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a try assist on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to return the cup to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Seem Ready to Step Up
Ever since the teams from South Africa entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the last eight, and last year none of them succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with several squads not at full strength selected.
Could this be the season that turns around? The Stormers are leading the URC and kicked off their continental journey with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on Friday.
The reactions after the game were promising too, with individuals involved speaking of their ambition, and the players such as stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the opening victory.
The Stormers appear the best bet for a South African side to have a long run in the tournament, yet write off the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in the opening round but did meet formidable opponents respectively.
The English and French Sides Produce a Memorable Match
There were multiple possibilities for game of the weekend, and this one was right up there.
Pau have been enjoying a brilliant season, guided by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are presently runner-up in the French league and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
