With the initial matches of the 2025-26 Champions Cup concluded, we examine the primary lessons highlighted by the fixtures.
Top 14 superiority has defined the competition in recent years, with the past five winners all calling home France's elite division. Yet, the initial stage included a number of statement victories from emerging contenders.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Go Back-to-Back
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in Europe last season, dominating Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the final.
Currently sitting sixth in the Top 14, some have suggested about their capacity to retain the title now. However, in the first round, Bordeaux served notice that they are more than capable of securing another trophy with a high-scoring triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Faced with a challenging fixture at Loftus Versfeld against a powerful Bulls side including talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the interval.
However, demonstrating their pedigree, they displayed their class in the second half, fighting back to secure a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls to zero after the break.
Les Bleus stars phenoms Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any team with those two on the wings has a chance against whoever they face.
Powerful Bath Appear Equipped of Challenging for the Title
Bath's only triumph in this competition came almost three decades ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have probably never been more strongly positioned to win it again.
The current English champions are leading the way domestically after six games and will be hoping to carry that momentum into the Champions Cup – particularly following a surprise group-stage exit last year.
Johann van Graan's team looked a highly composed and composed outfit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are highly placed in the United Rugby Championship.
They blend attacking verve – securing the bonus point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, keeping their opponents at bay when they looked like mounting a dramatic comeback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and a deep squad all over the team, they must be viewed as serious contenders for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's key result in the group stage a year ago occurred in the second round, an heartbreaking 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a rotated team.
After winning a league trophy under their belt and top the home league, Van Graan might decide to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Major Blow
The tournament contains strong teams in every pool, but Pool One looks set to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is made about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the opening night might just be pivotal.
The Glasgow Warriors were two scores behind after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a all-important maximum haul.
In doing so, they handed their prospects of qualification a positive start and, conversely, dealt a significant setback to Sale.
With the French giants – commanding 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, also in the pool, we are likely to see high-stakes drama.
And as for Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They delivered one of their top continental showings in recent memory to shock three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for Scottish rugby.
Will Ioane Be the Key Addition of the Leinster Puzzle?
Should you pick one side you would predict to be in the mix at the later stages of the season in Europe, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
However in recent seasons 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 heavy favourites a year ago after following up a 62-0 rout 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 missing ingredient to win the championship, but they were surprised and suffered a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the last four.
Now they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a scoring pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to secure European glory to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Seem Prepared to Challenge
From the moment the SA franchises became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the last eight, and last year no South African side managed to make it out of the group stage, with plenty of squads not at full strength used.
Will this be the campaign that is different? The Stormers are top of the URC and kicked off their continental journey with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were encouraging too, with players and coaches talking about their goals, and the players such as stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the opening victory.
The Stormers appear the best bet for a South African side to go deep into the tournament, although don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in the opening round but did play formidable opponents respectively.
Saints and Pau Produce a Memorable Match
There were a few contenders for game of the weekend, and that clash was right up there.
Pau have been experiencing a brilliant campaign, led by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are right now runner-up in the French league and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
