Now that the first round of the 2025-26 Champions Cup concluded, we delve into the major talking points emerging from the games.
Gallic supremacy has been the narrative in recent seasons, with the last five champions all hailing from France's top flight. But, the opening round included a number of convincing performances from emerging contenders.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Defend Their Title
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in the competition the previous campaign, dominating Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the grand finale.
Currently sitting sixth in the Top 14, questions have been asked about their ability to repeat the feat this year. However, in their opener, Bordeaux served notice that they are well-positioned of securing another trophy with a free-flowing win on the road in South Africa.
Faced with a difficult tie at Loftus Versfeld against a powerful Bulls side featuring talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at half-time.
Yet, as champions do, they showed their quality in the final 40 minutes, roaring back to seal a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls to zero after the break.
Les Bleus stars aces Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any outfit with such firepower on the edges has a chance against any competition.
Formidable Bath Look Capable of Challenging for the Title
Bath's only triumph in the Champions Cup was almost three decades ago. Since that time, they have perhaps not been more strongly positioned to secure another title.
The reigning domestic title-holders are top of the pile domestically after six games and will be looking to translate that form into the Champions Cup – especially after a unexpected elimination last year.
Johann van Graan's side looked a very complete and polished team in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are third in the Celtic league.
They marry creative spark – earning the extra point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, keeping their guests at bay when they threatened a late rally.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and quality reserves all over the squad, they must be viewed as credible threats for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the pools last season occurred in the following week, an heartbreaking 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a rotated team.
Having secured a Premiership title under their belt and setting the pace domestically again, Van Graan may feel able to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Tough Start
The tournament contains quality outfits in every pool, but the first group appears poised to be one of the most competitive.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is emphasized regarding winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on Friday evening might just turn out to be vital.
The Glasgow Warriors were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries early in the second half gave them a precious bonus-point win.
By achieving this, they provided their prospects of qualification a significant early boost and, conversely, inflicted a hefty blow to Sale.
With the French giants – dominant 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, in the same section, we are likely to see plenty of fireworks.
And regarding Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They turned in one of their top continental showings in a long time to shock three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for Scottish rugby.
Could Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Puzzle?
When considering a contender you would predict to be in the mix at the later stages of the Champions Cup, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
Yet in recent campaigns it has ended in disappointment, as they have promised much but fallen short. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat last season after building on a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was believed that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to win the championship, but they were surprised and endured a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This year they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a try assist on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to secure European glory to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Seem Ready to Step Up
Since the South African sides joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the quarter-finals, and last year none of them succeeded in getting out of the group stage, with several rotated sides selected.
Could this be the season that changes? The Stormers are top of the URC and began their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were promising too, with individuals involved talking about their goals, and the caliber of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the opening victory.
The Stormers look the most likely contender for a team from South Africa to go deep into the tournament, but don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in their first games but did face the French powerhouses respectively.
Northampton and Pau Deliver a Classic Encounter
There were a few contenders for match of the round, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was right up there.
Pau have been having a outstanding campaign, led by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are right now runner-up in the French championship and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
