Now that the first round of the 2025-26 Champions Cup concluded, we explore the major talking points emerging from the games.
French dominance has ruled the roost in recent seasons, with the previous five victors all hailing from France's Top 14. Yet, the initial stage featured several statement victories from potential rivals.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Defend Their Title
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in Europe a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the final.
Currently sitting sixth in the domestic standings, some have suggested about their capacity to retain the title this season. However, in round one, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are fully equipped of winning back-to-back titles with a high-scoring triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Given a difficult tie at the Bulls' fortress against a strong Bulls side including internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the break.
However, demonstrating their pedigree, they showed their quality in the second half, storming back to secure a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls to zero after the interval.
Les Bleus stars aces Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any side with such firepower on the flanks is a threat against whoever they face.
Powerful Bath Look Capable of Challenging for the Title
Bath's sole success in this competition was almost three decades ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have arguably not been more strongly positioned to secure another title.
The current English champions are leading the way in the league after six games and will be looking to translate that form into Europe – on the back of a shocking early departure the previous season.
Johann van Graan's team looked a extremely well-rounded and composed outfit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are third in the United Rugby Championship.
They marry attacking verve – earning the bonus point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, keeping their visitors at arm's length when they threatened a dramatic comeback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and quality reserves all over the team, they are surely credible threats for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the initial phase the previous year occurred in the following week, an narrow 22-21 loss at Benetton with a rotated team.
Now with a domestic championship to their name and leading the home league, Van Graan may feel able to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Tough Start
There are strong teams in every pool, but the first group seems destined to be one of the tightest.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is emphasized regarding victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on Friday evening might just prove crucial.
The Scottish side were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a all-important five points.
With this result, they handed their hopes of advancing a significant early boost and, conversely, dealt a damaging defeat to Sale.
With the French giants – imperious 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, also in the pool, we can expect many thrilling contests.
And what of Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They delivered one of their best European performances in a long time to surprise heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for Scottish rugby.
Will Ioane Be the Final Piece of the Leinster Quest?
Should you pick one side you would expect to be challenging at the business end of the season in Europe, it would be European giants Leinster.
But in recent campaigns it hasn't gone to plan, as they have promised much but fallen short. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat last season after backing up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was believed that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to secure the title, but they were surprised and endured a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
Now they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a try assist on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to secure European glory to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Look Ready to Step Up
Ever since the teams from South Africa entered 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 group stage, with plenty of weakened teams used.
Could this be the season that changes? The Stormers are leading the URC and started their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were promising too, with individuals involved expressing their aspirations, and the likes of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the first match.
The Stormers look the strongest candidate for a team from South Africa to go deep into the competition, yet write off the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated this weekend but did play Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Saints and Pau Serve Up a Thrilling Contest
There were multiple possibilities for game of the weekend, and that clash was right up there.
Pau have been enjoying a superb campaign, led by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are currently second in the French league and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
