With the first round of the 2025-26 Champions Cup concluded, we delve into the primary lessons emerging from the weekend's action.
Top 14 superiority has defined the competition in the past few campaigns, with the last five champions all calling home France's Top 14. However, the opening round included multiple convincing performances from new rivals.
Bordeaux Look Set to Go Back-to-Back
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in the competition last season, dismantling Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the final.
Lying sixth in the French league, some have suggested about their chances of defending the feat now. Yet, in the first round, Bordeaux sent a message that they are more than capable of achieving consecutive championships with a points-laden win on the road in South Africa.
Handed a tough assignment at Loftus Versfeld against a strong Bulls side featuring internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the break.
But, as champions do, they showed their quality in the second period, roaring back to seal a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls to zero after the break.
France international phenoms Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any side with those two on the edges stands a good chance against any opponent.
Formidable Bath Appear Equipped of Going the Distance
Bath's only triumph in this competition was almost a generation ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have perhaps not been more prepared to secure another title.
The defending English Premiership champions are top of the pile at home after six games and will be hoping to carry that momentum into Europe – especially after a surprise group-stage exit the previous season.
Johann van Graan's team looked a very complete and polished team in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are third in the United Rugby Championship.
They marry attacking verve – securing the bonus point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, holding their opponents at a distance when they attempted a late rally.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and strength in depth all over the roster, they are surely genuine challengers for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the pools the previous year came in the next fixture, an agonising 22-21 setback at Benetton with a changed side.
After winning a domestic championship under their belt and setting the pace domestically again, Van Graan could be inclined to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Tough Start
The tournament contains powerful sides everywhere you look, but the first group looks set to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is said about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the first day might just be pivotal.
The Scottish side were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries early in the second half gave them a valuable maximum haul.
In doing so, they handed their prospects of qualification a positive start and, by contrast, inflicted a damaging defeat to their opponents.
With Toulouse – commanding 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, also in the pool, we are likely to see many thrilling contests.
And as for Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They delivered one of their finest displays in Europe in years to shock heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Could Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Puzzle?
Should you pick one side you would fancy to be there or thereabouts at the later stages of the Champions Cup, it would be European giants Leinster.
However in the last few years it has not worked out, as they have shown great potential but fallen short. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites a year ago 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 missing ingredient to win the championship, but they were caught out and experienced a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This season they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a scoring pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to return the cup to Ireland for the first time 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 last year no South African side managed to make it out of the pool phase, with often squads not at full strength fielded.
Is this the year that turns around? The Stormers are first in the URC and kicked off 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 the squad and staff expressing their aspirations, and the players such as Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the first match.
The Stormers appear the best bet for a South African side to progress far in the tournament, although do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in their first games but did meet formidable opponents respectively.
The English and French Sides Produce a Thrilling Contest
There were several candidates for game of the weekend, and this one was a leading candidate.
Pau have been experiencing a superb campaign, guided 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 stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
