Now that the first round of the 2025-26 Champions Cup wrapped up, we examine the primary lessons stemming from the games.
French dominance has been the narrative in recent seasons, with the past five winners all hailing from France's elite division. However, the first weekend included a number of impressive wins from emerging rivals.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Defend Their Title
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in this tournament the previous campaign, dominating Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the showpiece.
Currently sitting sixth in the domestic standings, some have suggested about their capacity to retain the feat this season. Yet, in their opener, Bordeaux served notice that they are fully equipped of winning another trophy with a high-scoring triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Handed a challenging fixture at Loftus Versfeld against a formidable Bulls side featuring internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the interval.
But, demonstrating their pedigree, they unleashed their power in the second half, storming back to claim a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls to zero after the break.
Les Bleus stars aces Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any side with that pair on the edges stands a good chance against any competition.
Formidable Bath Look Capable of A Deep Run
Bath's lone victory in the Champions Cup dates back almost 30 years ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have perhaps not 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 hoping to transfer that success into Europe – on the back of a unexpected elimination last year.
Johann van Graan's side looked a very complete and balanced unit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are highly placed in the United Rugby Championship.
They marry attacking verve – earning the extra point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, restraining their opponents at bay when they threatened a dramatic comeback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and strength in depth all over the team, they have to be considered serious contenders for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's key result in the pools a year ago came in the following week, an agonising 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a changed side.
Now with a domestic championship to their name and leading in England once more, Van Graan may feel able to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Significant Setback
You will find strong teams everywhere you look, but the first group appears poised to be one of the most competitive.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is made about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on Friday evening might just turn out to be vital.
The team from Scotland were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a valuable five points.
In doing so, they gave their hopes of advancing a major lift and, in turn, dealt a damaging defeat to Sale.
With the red and blacks – commanding 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, sharing the group, we can expect high-stakes drama.
And regarding Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They produced one of their top continental showings in years to shock heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for the Scottish game.
Will Ioane Be the Final Piece of the Leinster Puzzle?
Should you pick one side you would fancy to be there or thereabouts at the sharp end of the Champions Cup, it would be European giants Leinster.
Yet in recent seasons it has ended in disappointment, 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 mauling of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was hoped that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the key player to win the championship, but they were caught out 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 registered a try assist on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Look Equipped to Compete
Since the South African sides entered 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 was able to progress out of the pool phase, with several squads not at full strength selected.
Could this be the season that changes? The Stormers are leading the URC and kicked off their European campaign with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.
The words from players and coaches were promising too, with players and coaches talking about their ambition, and the likes of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the first match.
The Stormers look the best bet for a team from South Africa to progress far in the event, although write off the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in their first games but did play Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
The English and French Sides Deliver a Memorable Match
There were multiple possibilities for match of the round, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was a leading candidate.
Pau have been enjoying a superb season, guided by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are right now runner-up in the French championship and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
