Following the initial matches of the 2025-26 Champions Cup concluded, we delve into the key revelations emerging from the games.
Top 14 superiority has been the narrative in the past few campaigns, with the past five winners all representing France's top flight. But, the initial stage included multiple statement victories from potential contenders.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Retain Their Crown
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in the competition the previous campaign, dismantling Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the showpiece.
Currently sitting sixth in the French league, doubts have been raised about their capacity to retain the title this year. However, in their opener, Bordeaux served notice that they are fully equipped of winning consecutive championships with a free-flowing triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Given a tough assignment at the Bulls' fortress against a strong Bulls side featuring talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the interval.
Yet, demonstrating their pedigree, they unleashed their power in the final 40 minutes, roaring back to claim a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls without a point after the halftime.
Les Bleus stars aces Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any team with that pair on the wings has a chance against any opponent.
Formidable Bath Appear Equipped of A Deep Run
Bath's lone victory in Europe came almost a generation ago. In the years since, they have arguably not been more prepared to secure another title.
The current English champions are top of the pile in the league after six games and will be aiming to transfer that success into the Champions Cup – particularly following a shocking early departure the previous season.
Johann van Graan's side looked a very complete and polished team in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are among the leaders in the URC.
They blend attacking verve – earning the extra point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, keeping their guests at a distance when they threatened a dramatic comeback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and strength in depth throughout the team, they must be viewed as genuine challengers for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the pools a year ago occurred in the next fixture, an heartbreaking 22-21 loss at Benetton with a rotated team.
Having secured a Premiership title in their history and top domestically again, Van Graan may feel able to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Tough Start
The tournament contains powerful sides throughout the draw, but their section looks set to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is made about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the opening night might just be pivotal.
The team from Scotland were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries early in the second period gave them a precious maximum haul.
With this result, they provided their prospects of qualification a positive start and, in turn, dealt a significant setback to their opponents.
With Toulouse – dominant 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, in the same section, we are likely to see many thrilling contests.
And as for Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They delivered one of their top continental showings in a long time to shock former champions Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Will Ioane Be the Final Piece of the Leinster Puzzle?
When considering a contender you would expect to be in the mix at the sharp end of the season in Europe, it would be European giants Leinster.
However in the last few years it has not worked out, as they have been favourites but not won the trophy. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites the previous campaign after following up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was thought that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the key player to secure the title, but they were ambushed and endured 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 registered a try assist on his bow 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 Seem Prepared to Challenge
From the moment the SA franchises entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and in the last campaign not a single one managed to make it out of the pool phase, with plenty of rotated sides used.
Is this the year that is different? The Stormers are first in the URC and started 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 the squad and staff talking about their goals, and the likes of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the round-one win.
The Stormers seem the best bet for a team from South Africa to go deep into the event, but do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated this weekend but did play the French powerhouses respectively.
The English and French Sides Serve Up a Classic Encounter
There were a few contenders for best fixture, and that clash was a leading candidate.
Pau have been enjoying a superb campaign, led by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are presently in second place in the French league and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
