Now that the initial matches of the 2025-26 Champions Cup wrapped up, we explore the major talking points emerging from the weekend's action.
Top 14 superiority has defined the competition in the past few campaigns, with the past five winners all representing France's top flight. Yet, the first weekend featured several impressive wins from emerging challengers.
Bordeaux Look Set to Defend Their Title
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in this tournament last season, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the grand finale.
Currently sitting sixth in the French league, doubts have been raised about their chances of defending the title this year. However, in their opener, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are fully equipped of securing another trophy with a points-laden triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Faced with a tough assignment at Loftus Versfeld against a formidable Bulls side featuring internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the break.
But, as champions do, they unleashed their power in the final 40 minutes, roaring back to claim a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls to zero after the halftime.
France international phenoms Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any side with such firepower on the wings stands a good chance against whoever they face.
Formidable Bath Seem Poised of Challenging for the Title
Bath's only triumph in this competition dates back almost three decades ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have perhaps not been more prepared to add a second star.
The defending English Premiership champions are leading the way at home after six games and will be looking to transfer that success into Europe – on the back of a surprise group-stage exit the previous season.
Johann van Graan's side looked a highly composed and polished team in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are third in the Celtic league.
They blend creative spark – earning the extra point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, restraining their guests at bay when they attempted a dramatic comeback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and quality reserves across the roster, they have to be considered genuine challengers for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the pools last season was in the next fixture, an narrow 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a rotated team.
Now with a Premiership title in their history and top in England once more, Van Graan could be inclined to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Tough Start
There are strong teams throughout the draw, but the first group looks set to be one of the most competitive.
In the existing pool system, a lot is said about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the opening night might just prove crucial.
The team from Scotland were two scores behind after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries during the beginning of the second half gave them a precious bonus-point win.
By achieving this, they provided their prospects of qualification a significant early boost and, in turn, inflicted a hefty blow to the Sharks.
With the red and blacks – dominant 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, in the same section, we are likely to see many thrilling contests.
And what of Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They produced one of their finest displays in Europe in recent memory to surprise former champions Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Is Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Puzzle?
If there's one team you would predict to be challenging at the later stages of the season in Europe, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
But in the last few years it has ended in disappointment, as they have been favourites but not won the trophy. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites the previous campaign after building on a 62-0 thrashing 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 final piece to win the championship, but they were surprised and endured a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This year they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a scoring pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Appear Ready to Step Up
Ever since the teams from South Africa entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the last eight, and last year not a single one was able to progress out of the pool phase, with often weakened teams selected.
Could this be the season that turns around? The Stormers are leading the URC and began their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were encouraging too, with players and coaches talking about their goals, and the caliber of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the first match.
The Stormers look the best bet for a South African side to have a long run in the competition, but don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in their first games but did play formidable opponents respectively.
Saints and Pau Deliver a Memorable Match
There were a few contenders for game of the weekend, and that clash was right up there.
Pau have been enjoying a outstanding season, guided by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half 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
