With the opening salvo of the 2025-26 Champions Cup wrapped up, we delve into the major talking points emerging from the games.
Gallic supremacy has defined the competition in recent seasons, with the last five champions all hailing from France's Top 14. But, the initial stage featured multiple convincing performances from new challengers.
Bordeaux Look Set to Defend Their Title
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in this tournament a year ago, dominating Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the final.
Positioned sixth in the Top 14, some have suggested about their chances of defending the accomplishment this season. However, in the first round, Bordeaux sent a message that they are well-positioned of achieving back-to-back titles with a free-flowing away victory in South Africa.
Given a difficult tie at Loftus Versfeld against a powerful Bulls side featuring stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the interval.
However, demonstrating their pedigree, they displayed their class in the final 40 minutes, storming back to seal a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls without a point after the break.
France international machines Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any team with those two on the flanks has a chance against any competition.
Impressive Bath Appear Equipped of Going the Distance
Bath's sole success in this competition dates back almost 30 years ago. In the years since, they have perhaps not been more strongly positioned to add a second star.
The defending English Premiership champions are leading the way at home after six games and will be looking to translate that form into Europe – especially after a unexpected elimination in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's side looked a extremely well-rounded and polished team in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are among the leaders in the URC.
They marry creative spark – securing the bonus point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, keeping their guests at arm's length when they looked like mounting a fightback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and strength in depth all over the roster, they are surely genuine challengers for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's key result in the pools the previous year occurred in the second round, an agonising 22-21 loss at Benetton with a changed side.
Now with a league trophy in their history and setting the pace in England once more, Van Graan might decide to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Significant Setback
You will find powerful sides in every pool, but the first group appears poised to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the existing pool system, a lot is said about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the first day might just turn out to be vital.
The Glasgow Warriors were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a all-important maximum haul.
By achieving this, they provided their hopes of advancing a positive start and, conversely, handed a damaging defeat to the Sharks.
With the French giants – dominant 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, sharing the group, we are likely to see plenty of fireworks.
And regarding Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They delivered one of their best European performances in years to stun former champions Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for the Scottish game.
Could Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Quest?
Should you pick one side you would predict to be in the mix at the later stages of the continental campaign, it would be European giants Leinster.
But in recent seasons it hasn't gone to plan, as they have promised much but delivered little. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites the previous campaign after building on a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was thought that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to secure the title, but they were ambushed and endured a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This year they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a scoring pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Ready to Step Up
Since the South African sides became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the last eight, and in the last campaign none of them succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with several weakened teams used.
Is this the year that is different? The Stormers are first in the URC and began their continental journey with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were positive too, with players and coaches talking about their aspirations, and the players such as South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the round-one win.
The Stormers appear the best bet for a team from South Africa to go deep into the event, although do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in the opening round but did meet formidable opponents respectively.
Northampton and Pau Produce a Classic Encounter
There were several candidates for match of the round, and that clash was right up there.
Pau have been experiencing a superb campaign, led by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are currently second in the French championship and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
