With the opening salvo of the 2025-26 Champions Cup concluded, we examine the major talking points stemming from the fixtures.
French dominance has ruled the roost in recent years, with the last five champions all hailing from France's Top 14. Yet, the first weekend included several impressive wins from potential challengers.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Go Back-to-Back
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in the competition last season, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the grand finale.
Currently sitting sixth in the Top 14, questions have been asked about their ability to repeat the accomplishment now. But, in their opener, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are well-positioned of winning back-to-back titles with a high-scoring away victory in South Africa.
Given a challenging fixture at the Bulls' fortress against a strong Bulls side featuring internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the interval.
But, demonstrating their pedigree, they showed their quality in the final 40 minutes, fighting back to claim a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls scoreless after the break.
France international machines Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any team with those two on the flanks stands a good chance against any competition.
Impressive Bath Look Capable of Challenging for the Title
Bath's only triumph in Europe came almost a generation ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have arguably not been more prepared to add a second star.
The current English champions are leading the way domestically after six games and will be aiming to transfer that success into the Champions Cup – particularly following a unexpected elimination last year.
Johann van Graan's men looked a extremely well-rounded and polished team in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are third in the URC.
They combine offensive flair – sealing the extra point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, holding their opponents at bay when they attempted a fightback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and strength in depth throughout the team, they must be viewed as serious contenders for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the initial phase the previous year was in the next fixture, an heartbreaking 22-21 setback at Benetton with a rotated team.
After winning a league trophy under their belt and setting the pace the home league, Van Graan may feel able to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Tough Start
The tournament contains strong teams throughout the draw, but their section looks set to be one of the most fiercely contested.
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 be pivotal.
The Scottish side were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries during the beginning of the second period gave them a all-important maximum haul.
With this result, they gave their prospects of qualification a major lift and, in turn, inflicted a hefty blow to the Sharks.
With the red and blacks – commanding 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, in the same section, we should be in for many thrilling contests.
And regarding Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They turned in one of their finest displays in Europe in years to stun three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Is Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Jigsaw?
Should you pick one side you would expect to be there or thereabouts at the sharp end of the season in Europe, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
But in recent campaigns it has ended in disappointment, as they have shown great potential but not won the trophy. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat the previous campaign after following up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was hoped that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to take them over the line, but they were caught out and endured a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi.
Now they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a try assist on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to return the cup to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Look Equipped to Compete
Ever since the teams from South Africa joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the quarter-finals, and the previous season no South African side succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with several squads not at full strength selected.
Is this the year that turns around? The Stormers are first in the URC and kicked off their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on Friday.
The reactions after the game were promising too, with individuals involved expressing their aspirations, and the likes of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the opening victory.
The Stormers seem the best bet for a team from South Africa to progress far in the competition, although do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost this weekend but did face the French powerhouses respectively.
Northampton and Pau Produce a Memorable Match
There were a few contenders for best fixture, and that clash was right up there.
Pau have been experiencing a brilliant season, guided by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are currently second in the French championship and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
