Following the opening salvo of the 2025-26 Champions Cup concluded, we explore the primary lessons highlighted by the games.
French dominance has ruled the roost in recent seasons, with the last five champions all representing France's elite division. Yet, the first weekend featured multiple impressive wins from new challengers.
Bordeaux Look Set to Retain Their Crown
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in this tournament a year ago, dominating Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the showpiece.
Positioned sixth in the French league, questions have been asked about their ability to repeat the title now. However, in the first round, Bordeaux served notice that they are more than capable of securing another trophy with a free-flowing triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Given a tough assignment at the Bulls' fortress against a strong Bulls side featuring internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at half-time.
But, as champions do, they showed their quality in the second period, storming back to seal a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls scoreless after the halftime.
France international aces Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any team with those two on the flanks is a threat against any opponent.
Powerful Bath Look Capable of A Deep Run
Bath's sole success in the Champions Cup dates back almost 30 years ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have arguably not been more strongly positioned to add a second star.
The defending English Premiership champions are setting the pace in the league after six games and will be looking to transfer that success into the Champions Cup – on the back of a shocking early departure in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's team looked a very complete and balanced unit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are third in the Celtic league.
They marry offensive flair – earning the extra point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, holding their opponents at a distance when they looked like mounting a late rally.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and a deep squad throughout the roster, they have to be considered genuine challengers for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the group stage the previous year occurred in the following week, an agonising 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a squad players.
Having secured a Premiership title to their name and leading the home league, Van Graan may feel able to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Tough Start
The tournament contains powerful sides in every pool, but their section looks set to be one of the tightest.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is emphasized regarding securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the opening night might just be pivotal.
The Glasgow Warriors were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a valuable bonus-point win.
With this result, they handed their prospects of qualification a positive start and, conversely, handed a significant setback to the Sharks.
With the French giants – commanding 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, sharing the group, we can expect plenty of fireworks.
And regarding Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They turned in one of their finest displays in Europe in a long time to stun former champions Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for the Scottish game.
Could Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Quest?
If there's one team you would expect to be challenging at the business end of the season in Europe, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
But in recent seasons it has not worked out, as they have promised much but delivered little. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat a year ago after backing up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was hoped that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to secure the title, but they were surprised and experienced a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi.
Now they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a try assist on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 success against 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 became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the last eight, and the previous season none of them was able to progress out of the group stage, with plenty of squads not at full strength fielded.
Could this be the season that changes? The Stormers are leading the URC and began their European campaign with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The words from players and coaches were encouraging too, with individuals involved expressing their ambition, and the caliber of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the opening victory.
The Stormers seem the most likely contender for a team from South Africa to have a long run in the event, yet don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in the opening round but did meet formidable opponents respectively.
Northampton and Pau Serve Up a Memorable Match
There were multiple possibilities for best fixture, and that clash was a leading candidate.
Pau have been enjoying a outstanding season, led by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are presently in second place in the Top 14 and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
