Now that the initial matches of the 2025-26 Champions Cup in the books, we delve into the major talking points emerging from the fixtures.
Gallic supremacy has defined the competition in recent years, with the previous five victors all representing France's Top 14. But, the opening round featured a number of convincing performances from new challengers.
Bordeaux Look Set to Go Back-to-Back
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in the competition the previous campaign, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the final.
Lying sixth in the Top 14, doubts have been raised about their capacity to retain the feat this year. However, in their opener, Bordeaux sent a message that they are well-positioned of winning another trophy with a free-flowing triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Handed a difficult tie at a hostile venue against a powerful Bulls side boasting internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at half-time.
However, demonstrating their pedigree, they showed their quality in the second half, fighting back to seal a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls to zero after the break.
France international machines Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any outfit with such firepower on the edges is a threat against any competition.
Powerful Bath Seem Poised of Challenging for the Title
Bath's lone victory in this competition was almost a generation ago. Since that time, they have arguably not been more strongly positioned to add a second star.
The reigning domestic title-holders are leading the way at home after six games and will be aiming to transfer that success into Europe – particularly following a unexpected elimination last year.
Johann van Graan's side looked a extremely well-rounded and balanced unit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are third in the Celtic league.
They marry offensive flair – sealing the bonus point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, keeping their guests at a distance when they looked like mounting a fightback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and a deep squad throughout the team, they must be viewed as serious contenders for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the group stage the previous year came in the next fixture, an agonising 22-21 setback at Benetton with a squad players.
Now with a Premiership title in their history and setting the pace in England once more, Van Graan could be inclined to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Tough Start
You will find strong teams everywhere you look, but the first group looks set to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is said about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the opening night might just be pivotal.
The Glasgow Warriors were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a precious bonus-point win.
By achieving this, they handed their prospects of qualification a significant early boost and, conversely, inflicted a damaging defeat to the Sharks.
With Toulouse – dominant 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, in the same section, we are likely to see high-stakes drama.
And regarding Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They produced one of their top continental showings in a long time to surprise former champions Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for Scottish rugby.
Could Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Puzzle?
Should you pick one side you would fancy to be there or thereabouts at the business end of the season in Europe, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
Yet in recent seasons it hasn't gone to plan, as they have promised much but delivered little. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites last season after following up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was believed that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to win the championship, but they were surprised and experienced a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This season 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 victory against Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Look Equipped to Compete
Ever since the teams from South Africa became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the last eight, and the previous season none of them was able to progress out of the pool phase, with plenty of squads not at full strength fielded.
Is this the year that changes? The Stormers are top of the URC and started their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on Friday.
The reactions after the game were positive too, with players and coaches expressing their aspirations, and the caliber of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the first match.
The Stormers seem the strongest candidate for a team from South Africa to progress far in the event, but don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in their first games but did meet Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Saints and Pau Serve Up a Memorable Match
There were multiple possibilities for best fixture, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was right up there.
Pau have been enjoying a brilliant season, led by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker 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
