Following the first round of the 2025-26 Champions Cup wrapped up, we explore the primary lessons stemming from the games.
Gallic supremacy has ruled the roost in the past few campaigns, with the last five champions all representing France's Top 14. However, the initial stage included a number of convincing performances from new contenders.
Bordeaux Look Set to Go Back-to-Back
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in this tournament a year ago, dominating Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the grand finale.
Currently sitting sixth in the Top 14, doubts have been raised about their capacity to retain the accomplishment this year. However, in the first round, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are fully equipped of achieving consecutive championships with a points-laden win on the road in South Africa.
Faced with a challenging fixture at a hostile venue against a strong Bulls side including stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the break.
But, demonstrating their pedigree, they displayed their class in the second period, storming back to secure a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls scoreless after the interval.
France international machines Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any side with those two on the wings is a threat against any opponent.
Formidable Bath Look Capable of Going the Distance
Bath's only triumph in Europe dates back almost a generation ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have probably never been more prepared to add a second star.
The defending English Premiership champions are top of the pile at home after six games and will be aiming to carry that momentum into Europe – especially after a surprise group-stage exit in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's team looked a extremely well-rounded and polished team in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are third in the United Rugby Championship.
They combine offensive flair – securing the bonus point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, restraining their guests at arm's length when they attempted a fightback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and strength in depth throughout the roster, they have to be considered credible threats for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the initial phase last season occurred in the next fixture, an heartbreaking 22-21 loss at Benetton with a changed side.
After winning a domestic championship under their belt and setting the pace the home league, Van Graan may feel able to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Give Sale a Major Blow
There are powerful sides in every pool, but their section looks set to be one of the tightest.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is said about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the opening night might just be pivotal.
The Glasgow Warriors 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 maximum haul.
By achieving this, they provided their hopes of advancing a major lift and, by contrast, inflicted a significant setback to the Sharks.
With the French giants – commanding 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, also in the pool, we should be in for plenty of fireworks.
And as for Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They delivered one of their finest displays in Europe in a long time to surprise heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for Scottish rugby.
Could Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Quest?
Should you pick one side you would fancy to be there or thereabouts at the business end of the Champions Cup, it would be European giants Leinster.
But in the last few years 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 overwhelming favourites the previous campaign after building on a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was thought that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the key player to take them over the line, but they were surprised and experienced a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This season they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a key pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to secure European glory to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Seem Prepared to Challenge
Since the South African sides became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and last year no South African side managed to make it out of the pool phase, with several rotated sides fielded.
Will this be the campaign that turns around? The Stormers are first in the URC and began their European campaign with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.
The words from players and coaches were encouraging too, with individuals involved expressing their goals, and the likes of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the round-one win.
The Stormers look the best bet for a SA franchise to go deep into the tournament, but do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated this weekend but did meet formidable opponents respectively.
Saints and Pau Produce a Classic Encounter
There were multiple possibilities for game of the weekend, and this one was among the best.
Pau have been having a brilliant campaign, led by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are right now in second place in the French league and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
