Now that the opening salvo of the 2025-26 Champions Cup concluded, we delve into the major talking points emerging from the games.
Gallic supremacy has been the narrative in the past few campaigns, with the past five winners all representing France's top flight. Yet, the initial stage showcased several convincing performances from emerging contenders.
Bordeaux Look Set to Go Back-to-Back
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in the competition the previous campaign, dominating Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the showpiece.
Lying sixth in the domestic standings, some have suggested about their chances of defending the title this season. Yet, in round one, Bordeaux served notice that they are more than capable of securing back-to-back titles with a high-scoring win on the road in South Africa.
Handed a difficult tie at the Bulls' fortress against a formidable Bulls side boasting internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at half-time.
However, true to their champion status, 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 break.
Les Bleus stars aces Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any team with those two on the flanks stands a good chance against any competition.
Impressive Bath Seem Poised of A Deep Run
Bath's only triumph in this competition dates back almost a generation ago. Since that time, they have arguably not been more strongly positioned to win it again.
The current English champions are leading the way at home after six games and will be hoping to carry that momentum into continental competition – on the back of a shocking early departure last year.
Johann van Graan's men looked a extremely well-rounded and polished team in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are highly placed in the URC.
They marry offensive flair – securing the bonus point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, restraining their visitors at arm's length when they looked like mounting a dramatic comeback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and quality reserves across the squad, they are surely genuine challengers for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the group stage last season came in the second round, an narrow 22-21 setback at Benetton with a changed side.
Now with a Premiership title in their history and leading the home league, Van Graan could be inclined to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Give Sale a Tough Start
The tournament contains strong teams in every pool, but Pool One appears poised to be one of the most competitive.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is made 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 be pivotal.
The team from Scotland were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries early in the second half gave them a precious five points.
In doing so, they handed their hopes of advancing a significant early boost and, conversely, dealt a hefty blow to the Sharks.
With the red and blacks – imperious 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, in the same section, we can expect plenty of fireworks.
And regarding Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They turned in one of their top continental showings in a long time to stun three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Will Ioane Be the Key Addition of the Leinster Jigsaw?
When considering a contender you would fancy to be in the mix at the later stages of the Champions Cup, it would be European giants Leinster.
However in recent campaigns it hasn't gone to plan, as they have been favourites but not won the trophy. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites a year ago after building on a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was thought that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to take them over the line, but they were ambushed and suffered 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 key pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Appear Equipped to Compete
Since the South African sides joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the quarter-finals, and the previous season no South African side succeeded in getting out of the group stage, with often squads not at full strength fielded.
Is this the year that is different? The Stormers are top of the URC and started their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were positive too, with the squad and staff talking about their ambition, and the caliber of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the round-one win.
The Stormers appear the strongest candidate for a team from South Africa to progress far in the tournament, but don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated this weekend but did play the French powerhouses respectively.
Northampton and Pau Produce a Classic Encounter
There were multiple possibilities for game of the weekend, and this one was a leading candidate.
Pau have been experiencing a outstanding campaign, guided by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are currently runner-up in the French league and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
