With the opening salvo of the 2025-26 Champions Cup in the books, we examine the key revelations highlighted by the weekend's action.
French dominance has ruled the roost in the past few campaigns, with the last five champions all calling home France's elite division. But, the first weekend included a number of statement victories from emerging rivals.
Bordeaux Look Set to Go Back-to-Back
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in Europe the previous campaign, dominating Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the showpiece.
Currently sitting sixth in the Top 14, some have suggested about their ability to repeat the title this season. However, in the first round, Bordeaux sent a message that they are more than capable of securing back-to-back titles with a high-scoring away victory in South Africa.
Handed a tough assignment at Loftus Versfeld against a powerful Bulls side featuring internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at half-time.
But, true to their champion status, they showed their quality in the final 40 minutes, fighting back to claim a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls to zero after the interval.
France international aces Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any team with such firepower on the edges is a threat against whoever they face.
Formidable Bath Look Capable of Challenging for the Title
Bath's only triumph in the Champions Cup came almost three decades ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have arguably not been more prepared to add a second star.
The reigning domestic title-holders are leading the way domestically after six games and will be looking to transfer that success into Europe – particularly following a surprise group-stage exit last year.
Johann van Graan's men looked a highly composed and balanced unit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are third in the Celtic league.
They combine attacking verve – securing the try-scoring point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, restraining their visitors at a distance when they threatened a fightback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and quality reserves across the roster, they have to be considered serious contenders for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the initial phase last season occurred in the following week, an heartbreaking 22-21 loss at Benetton with a changed side.
After winning a league trophy under their belt and top in England once more, Van Graan may feel able to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Give Sale a Tough Start
You will find strong teams everywhere you look, but Pool One looks set to be one of the tightest.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is emphasized regarding victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the opening night might just be pivotal.
The Scottish side were two scores behind after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a all-important bonus-point win.
By achieving this, they provided their chances of progressing a significant early boost and, by contrast, inflicted a hefty blow to the Sharks.
With Toulouse – dominant 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, in the same section, we should be in for many thrilling contests.
And regarding Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They delivered one of their finest displays in Europe in a long time to surprise three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Will Ioane Be the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Jigsaw?
If there's one team you would fancy to be in the mix at the business end of the Champions Cup, it would be European giants Leinster.
Yet in the last few years it hasn't gone to plan, as they have promised much but not won the trophy. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites the previous campaign after backing up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was hoped that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to win the championship, but they were ambushed and endured a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This year they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a key pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Ready to Step Up
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 not a single one succeeded in getting out of the group stage, with often rotated sides used.
Is this the year that is different? The Stormers are top of the URC and started their continental journey with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.
The words from players and coaches were positive too, with individuals involved talking about their goals, and the likes of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the round-one win.
The Stormers appear the best bet for a team from South Africa to progress far in the competition, but do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat this weekend but did face Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Saints and Pau Serve Up a Memorable Match
There were a few contenders for match of the round, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was right up there.
Pau have been enjoying a brilliant campaign, spearheaded by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half 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
