Following the first round of the 2025-26 Champions Cup concluded, we explore the key revelations emerging from the weekend's action.
French dominance has defined the competition in the past few campaigns, with the previous five victors all representing France's Top 14. But, the first weekend featured a number of convincing performances from potential contenders.
Bordeaux Look Set to Go Back-to-Back
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in this tournament a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the final.
Currently sitting sixth in the Top 14, questions have been asked about their capacity to retain the title this year. However, in their opener, Bordeaux sent a message that they are fully equipped of securing consecutive championships with a points-laden away victory in South Africa.
Handed a difficult tie at Loftus Versfeld against a formidable Bulls side boasting stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the interval.
However, as champions do, they displayed their class in the final 40 minutes, storming back to secure a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls scoreless after the halftime.
Les Bleus stars aces Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any outfit with such firepower on the edges stands a good chance against any competition.
Impressive Bath Seem Poised of A Deep Run
Bath's only triumph in this competition came almost three decades ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have probably never been more prepared to add a second star.
The reigning domestic title-holders are setting the pace domestically after six games and will be aiming to transfer that success into continental competition – on the back of a unexpected elimination the previous season.
Johann van Graan's men looked a extremely well-rounded and polished team in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are highly placed in the Celtic league.
They combine attacking verve – earning the bonus point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, keeping their opponents at bay when they looked like mounting a fightback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and a deep squad across the roster, they must be viewed as serious contenders for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the pools last season came in the following week, an agonising 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a rotated team.
After winning a league trophy in their history and top domestically again, Van Graan may feel able to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Significant Setback
You will find powerful sides in every pool, but Pool One looks set to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is said about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground 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 early in the second half gave them a valuable bonus-point win.
By achieving this, they provided their chances of progressing a major lift and, in turn, inflicted a hefty blow to their opponents.
With the French giants – commanding 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, in the same section, we can expect high-stakes drama.
And regarding Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They turned in one of their best European performances in recent memory to shock three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for the Scottish game.
Will Ioane Be the Key Addition of the Leinster Jigsaw?
When considering a contender you would predict to be there or thereabouts at the business end of the Champions Cup, it would be European giants Leinster.
Yet in recent seasons it hasn't gone to plan, as they have been favourites but delivered little. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites last season after following 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 key player to secure the title, but they were surprised and experienced a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This season they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a key pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Appear Equipped to Compete
Ever since the teams from South Africa joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the last eight, and in the last campaign no South African side was able to progress out of the pool phase, with plenty of weakened teams fielded.
Is this the year that changes? The Stormers are top of the URC and began their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were positive too, with players and coaches talking about their aspirations, and the caliber of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the round-one win.
The Stormers appear the most likely contender for a SA franchise to progress far in the tournament, although don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in their first games but did play Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
The English and French Sides Produce a Classic Encounter
There were multiple possibilities for best fixture, and this one was right up there.
Pau have been having a superb campaign, spearheaded by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are presently in second place in the French league and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
