Now that the opening salvo of the 2025-26 Champions Cup concluded, we examine the major talking points emerging from the games.
Top 14 superiority has defined the competition in recent years, with the previous five victors all calling home France's Top 14. Yet, the first weekend included multiple impressive wins from emerging contenders.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Go Back-to-Back
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in the competition a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and subsequently Northampton in the final.
Currently sitting sixth in the French league, doubts have been raised about their capacity to retain the feat now. Yet, in their opener, Bordeaux sent a message that they are more than capable of winning back-to-back titles with a points-laden away victory in South Africa.
Handed a tough assignment at Loftus Versfeld against a powerful Bulls side including stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the break.
However, true to their champion status, they showed their quality in the second period, roaring back to secure a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls scoreless after the interval.
Les Bleus stars phenoms Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any outfit with those two on the wings stands a good chance against whoever they face.
Formidable Bath Appear Equipped of Going the Distance
Bath's sole success in this competition was almost three decades ago. Since that time, they have perhaps not been more prepared to win it again.
The current English champions are setting the pace in the league after six games and will be hoping to translate that form into Europe – on the back of a surprise group-stage exit last year.
Johann van Graan's team looked a highly composed and polished team in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are among the leaders in the URC.
They blend attacking verve – earning the try-scoring point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, holding their opponents at bay when they attempted a dramatic comeback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and strength in depth across the roster, they are surely genuine challengers for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the pools the previous year came in the following week, an heartbreaking 22-21 loss at Benetton with a squad players.
Now with a league trophy to their name and setting the pace domestically again, Van Graan might decide to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Tough Start
There are powerful sides in every pool, but the first group seems destined to be one of the tightest.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is said about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on Friday evening 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 valuable bonus-point win.
In doing so, they handed their chances of progressing a major lift and, in turn, inflicted a significant setback to the Sharks.
With Toulouse – commanding 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, in the same section, we can expect high-stakes drama.
And as for Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They delivered one of their best European performances in years to surprise former champions Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for Scottish rugby.
Could Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Quest?
If there's one team you would expect to be in the mix at the sharp end of the Champions Cup, it would be European giants Leinster.
However in the last few years it has not worked out, as they have been favourites but not won the trophy. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat the previous campaign after following up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 demolition 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 endured a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi.
Now they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a try assist on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Look Prepared to Challenge
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 not a single one was able to progress out of the pool phase, with often weakened teams selected.
Could this be the season that changes? The Stormers are first in the URC and started their continental journey with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were promising too, with individuals involved expressing their ambition, and the caliber of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the opening victory.
The Stormers appear the most likely contender for a South African side to progress far in the tournament, but do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in their first games but did face formidable opponents respectively.
Saints and Pau Serve Up a Classic Encounter
There were a few contenders for game of the weekend, and this one was right up there.
Pau have been having a brilliant season, spearheaded by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are currently in second place in the French championship and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
