With the first round of the 2025-26 Champions Cup in the books, we delve into the major talking points stemming from the weekend's action.
Gallic supremacy has been the narrative in recent seasons, with the past five winners all calling home France's top flight. But, the initial stage showcased a number of statement victories from potential contenders.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Go Back-to-Back
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in this tournament last season, dominating Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the grand finale.
Positioned sixth in the Top 14, questions have been asked about their capacity to retain the feat this year. Yet, in their opener, Bordeaux served notice that they are fully equipped of securing another trophy with a free-flowing triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Given a tough assignment at Loftus Versfeld against a strong Bulls side including stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at half-time.
But, demonstrating their pedigree, they showed their quality in the second half, storming back to secure a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls scoreless after the halftime.
France international phenoms Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any team with such firepower on the edges is a threat against whoever they face.
Impressive Bath Appear Equipped of A Deep Run
Bath's lone victory in the Champions Cup dates back almost a generation ago. Since that time, they have arguably not been better equipped to secure another title.
The reigning domestic title-holders are leading the way at home after six games and will be looking to transfer that success into Europe – particularly following a shocking early departure last year.
Johann van Graan's team looked a highly composed and polished team in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are third in the United Rugby Championship.
They marry attacking verve – sealing the try-scoring point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, restraining their visitors at a distance when they looked like mounting a late rally.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and a deep squad all over the team, they must be viewed as serious contenders for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the group stage the previous year was in the next fixture, an heartbreaking 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a squad players.
Having secured a league trophy to their name and setting the pace domestically again, Van Graan may feel able to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Give Sale a Tough Start
You will find quality outfits everywhere you look, but Pool One seems destined to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is emphasized regarding victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the first day might just be pivotal.
The Scottish side were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries during the beginning of the second period gave them a all-important five points.
By achieving this, they provided their hopes of advancing a positive start and, by contrast, inflicted a significant setback to their opponents.
With the red and blacks – imperious 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, in the same section, we should be in for high-stakes drama.
And what of Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They delivered one of their best European performances in a long time to surprise heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for the Scottish game.
Will Ioane Be the Final Piece of the Leinster Jigsaw?
Should you pick one side you would predict to be in the mix at the sharp end of the continental campaign, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
But in recent campaigns it has not worked out, as they have promised much but fallen short. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites last season after backing up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was thought that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the key player to secure the title, but they were caught out and suffered a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This season they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a key pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Appear Equipped to Compete
Since the South African sides joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and in the last campaign none of them was able to progress out of the group stage, with plenty of weakened teams selected.
Is this the year that changes? The Stormers are top of the URC and began their European campaign with a 26-17 victory on the road 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 not involved for the round-one win.
The Stormers seem the strongest candidate for a team from South Africa to go deep into the event, although do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat this weekend but did meet Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Saints and Pau Serve Up a Classic Encounter
There were several candidates for best fixture, and that clash was a leading candidate.
Pau have been experiencing a outstanding season, spearheaded by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are right now in second place in the French championship and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
