With the opening salvo of the 2025-26 Champions Cup concluded, we examine the primary lessons stemming from the games.
Top 14 superiority has been the narrative in recent years, with the last five champions all representing France's elite division. However, the first weekend featured several statement victories from potential contenders.
Bordeaux Look Set to Go Back-to-Back
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in Europe last season, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the grand finale.
Lying sixth in the Top 14, some have suggested about their ability to repeat the accomplishment this year. But, in their opener, Bordeaux served notice that they are well-positioned of achieving consecutive championships with a free-flowing away victory in South Africa.
Faced with a tough assignment at a hostile venue against a formidable Bulls side featuring internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at half-time.
Yet, true to their champion status, they displayed their class in the final 40 minutes, roaring back to secure a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls scoreless after the interval.
Les Bleus stars machines Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any outfit with those two on the edges is a threat against any opponent.
Impressive Bath Seem Poised of Challenging for the Title
Bath's lone victory in Europe came almost three decades ago. In the years since, they have probably never been better equipped to secure another title.
The defending English Premiership champions are setting the pace at home after six games and will be looking to translate that form into continental competition – especially after a unexpected elimination last year.
Johann van Graan's side looked a very complete and composed outfit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are highly placed in the URC.
They blend creative spark – sealing the bonus point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, keeping their visitors at bay when they threatened a late rally.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and quality reserves all over the squad, they are surely credible threats for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the pools last season occurred in the next fixture, an narrow 22-21 setback at Benetton with a rotated team.
After winning a league trophy to their name and top the home league, Van Graan may feel able to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Give Sale a Tough Start
The tournament contains quality outfits everywhere you look, but Pool One seems destined to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is made about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's away victory 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 valuable five points.
With this result, they provided their prospects of qualification a significant early boost and, by contrast, handed a hefty blow to the Sharks.
With the red and blacks – dominant 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, in the same section, we should be in for many thrilling contests.
And regarding Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They turned in one of their top continental showings in recent memory to shock former champions Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for the Scottish game.
Will Ioane Be the Key Addition of the Leinster Quest?
Should you pick one side you would expect to be in the mix at the sharp end of the continental campaign, it would be European giants Leinster.
Yet in the last few years it hasn't gone to plan, as they have shown great potential but not won the trophy. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat a year ago after building on 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 All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to win the championship, but they were ambushed and suffered a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi.
Now they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a key pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Seem Equipped to Compete
Ever since the teams from South Africa joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the last eight, and last year no South African side succeeded in getting out of the group stage, with several weakened teams used.
Will this be the campaign that turns around? The Stormers are leading the URC and began their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.
The reactions after the game were positive too, with players and coaches talking about their aspirations, and the likes of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the opening victory.
The Stormers seem the best bet for a team from South Africa to progress far in the competition, yet do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in the opening round but did play Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Saints and Pau Produce a Thrilling Contest
There were several candidates for match of the round, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was among the best.
Pau have been enjoying a outstanding season, guided by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are right now in second place in the Top 14 and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
