Following the initial matches of the 2025-26 Champions Cup in the books, we examine the key revelations emerging from the weekend's action.
Top 14 superiority has been the narrative in recent seasons, with the last five champions all representing France's elite division. However, the initial stage featured a number of convincing performances from new contenders.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Defend Their Title
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in this tournament last season, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the final.
Currently sitting sixth in the Top 14, some have suggested about their capacity to retain the title this season. Yet, in the first round, Bordeaux served notice that they are more than capable of securing consecutive championships with a high-scoring away victory in South Africa.
Faced with a challenging fixture at a hostile venue against a formidable Bulls side featuring stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at half-time.
But, true to their champion status, they displayed their class in the final 40 minutes, fighting back to seal a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls scoreless after the halftime.
French try-scoring phenoms Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any outfit with those two on the wings has a chance against any competition.
Formidable Bath Appear Equipped of Challenging for the Title
Bath's only triumph in Europe was almost 30 years ago. Since that time, they have arguably not been better equipped to win it again.
The current English champions are setting the pace domestically after six games and will be hoping to carry that momentum into Europe – on the back of a shocking early departure in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's team looked a highly composed and composed outfit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are among the leaders in the United Rugby Championship.
They marry offensive flair – securing the extra point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, keeping their opponents at a distance when they looked like mounting a fightback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and strength in depth across the roster, they have to be considered credible threats for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the pools last season was in the following week, an narrow 22-21 loss at Benetton with a changed side.
After winning a Premiership title in their history and leading domestically again, Van Graan may feel able to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Give Sale a Tough Start
The tournament contains powerful sides in every pool, but the first group appears poised to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the existing pool system, a lot is made about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the opening night 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 half gave them a all-important bonus-point win.
By achieving this, they provided their hopes of advancing a major lift and, in turn, inflicted a significant setback to the Sharks.
With the French giants – commanding 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, also in the pool, we can expect high-stakes drama.
And as for Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They delivered one of their top continental showings in years to surprise three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for the Scottish game.
Is Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Quest?
Should you pick one side you would expect to be there or thereabouts at the business end of the season in Europe, it would be European giants Leinster.
But in the last few years it hasn't gone to plan, as they have promised much but delivered little. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites a year ago after following up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was believed that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to take them over the line, but they were ambushed and experienced a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the last four.
Now they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a try assist on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to return the cup to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Appear 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 last year not a single one managed to make it out of the group stage, with often rotated sides selected.
Is this the year that turns around? The Stormers are top of the URC and kicked off their European campaign with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.
The reactions after the game were positive too, with players and coaches speaking of their ambition, and the likes of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the opening victory.
The Stormers appear the most likely contender for a South African side to progress far in the event, although don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in the opening round but did face Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Saints and Pau Serve Up a Memorable Match
There were a few contenders for best fixture, and that clash was among the best.
Pau have been enjoying a brilliant season, spearheaded by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are presently runner-up in the French championship and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
