Following the opening salvo of the 2025-26 Champions Cup wrapped up, we examine the key revelations emerging from the weekend's action.
Top 14 superiority has ruled the roost in recent years, with the last five champions all representing France's top flight. However, the opening round showcased several convincing performances from new challengers.
Bordeaux Look Set to Retain Their Crown
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in Europe a year ago, dominating Toulouse in the last four and subsequently Northampton in the grand finale.
Currently sitting sixth in the domestic standings, doubts have been raised about their capacity to retain the accomplishment now. However, in their opener, Bordeaux sent a message that they are more than capable of achieving consecutive championships with a high-scoring win on the road in South Africa.
Handed a challenging fixture at the Bulls' fortress against a formidable Bulls side including stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the break.
Yet, true to their champion status, they unleashed their power in the second half, storming back to seal a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls scoreless after the halftime.
France international machines Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any team with that pair on the flanks is a threat against any opponent.
Impressive Bath Appear Equipped of A Deep Run
Bath's only triumph in Europe dates back almost a generation ago. In the years since, they have perhaps not been more strongly positioned to add a second star.
The current English champions are leading the way domestically after six games and will be looking to transfer that success into Europe – on the back of a shocking early departure in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's side looked a highly composed and balanced unit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are highly placed in the United Rugby Championship.
They marry offensive flair – earning the try-scoring point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, holding their opponents at arm's length when they attempted a late rally.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and a deep squad throughout the roster, they must be viewed as credible threats for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's key result in the pools the previous year occurred in the following week, an heartbreaking 22-21 setback at Benetton with a squad players.
Now with a domestic championship under their belt and top in England once more, Van Graan may feel able to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Major Blow
You will find powerful sides everywhere you look, but the first group looks set to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is said about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the opening night might just prove crucial.
The Scottish side were two scores behind after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries early in the second period gave them a valuable maximum haul.
By achieving this, they gave their prospects of qualification a positive start and, in turn, dealt a damaging defeat to the Sharks.
With Toulouse – commanding 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, sharing the group, we can expect high-stakes drama.
And what of Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They delivered one of their top continental showings in a long time to surprise former champions Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for the Scottish game.
Could Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Quest?
If there's one team you would predict to be challenging at the sharp end of the Champions Cup, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
However in recent campaigns it has ended in disappointment, as they have been favourites but fallen short. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites a year ago after following up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was believed that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to take them over the line, but they were surprised and experienced a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This season they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a scoring pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to return the cup to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Appear Equipped to Compete
Since the South African sides became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the quarter-finals, and in the last campaign none of them succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with several weakened teams used.
Is this the year that is different? The Stormers are leading the URC and started their European campaign with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were positive too, with the squad and staff expressing their goals, and the likes of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the round-one win.
The Stormers look the most likely contender for a SA franchise to go deep into the event, but do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated this weekend but did meet formidable opponents respectively.
Northampton and Pau Serve Up a Classic Encounter
There were multiple possibilities for match of the round, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was among the best.
Pau have been experiencing a superb season, spearheaded by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are right now in second place in the French championship and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
