With the opening salvo of the 2025-26 Champions Cup in the books, we delve into the key revelations emerging from the fixtures.
Gallic supremacy has ruled the roost in recent years, with the last five champions all calling home France's top flight. But, the opening round included several convincing performances from emerging challengers.
Bordeaux Look Set to Defend Their Title
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in Europe a year ago, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the showpiece.
Currently sitting sixth in the Top 14, questions have been asked about their ability to repeat the accomplishment now. Yet, in the first round, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are fully equipped of winning another trophy with a free-flowing triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Handed a tough assignment at Loftus Versfeld against a formidable Bulls side featuring talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the interval.
But, true to their champion status, they unleashed their power in the final 40 minutes, roaring back to seal a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls to zero after the interval.
French try-scoring machines Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any outfit with such firepower on the wings is a threat against whoever they face.
Impressive Bath Seem Poised of Challenging for the Title
Bath's only triumph in Europe dates back almost 30 years ago. In the years since, they have probably never been more strongly positioned to add a second star.
The reigning domestic title-holders are setting the pace domestically after six games and will be looking to transfer that success into Europe – on the back of a surprise group-stage exit in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's team looked a extremely well-rounded and balanced unit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are among the leaders in the Celtic league.
They marry attacking verve – sealing the bonus point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, restraining their opponents at a distance when they attempted a fightback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and a deep squad throughout the team, they are surely serious contenders for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's key result in the group stage last season came in the following week, an narrow 22-21 loss at Benetton with a squad players.
Now with a domestic championship under their belt and top domestically again, Van Graan could be inclined to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Significant Setback
The tournament contains strong teams throughout the draw, but the first group looks set to be one of the tightest.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is made about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on Friday evening might just turn out to be vital.
The Scottish side were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a precious five points.
In doing so, they gave their prospects of qualification a major lift and, in turn, inflicted a hefty blow to Sale.
With the French giants – commanding 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, sharing the group, we are likely to see plenty of fireworks.
And what of Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They turned in one of their finest displays in Europe in recent memory to shock three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for Scottish rugby.
Could Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Quest?
When considering a contender you would expect to be challenging at the later stages of the continental campaign, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
However in the last few years it has ended in disappointment, as they have promised much but fallen short. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites last season after building on 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 missing ingredient to secure the title, but they were ambushed and experienced a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This season they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a key pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to return the cup to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Seem Equipped to Compete
Since the South African sides entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the quarter-finals, and in the last campaign no South African side managed to make it out of the pool phase, with often weakened teams fielded.
Will this be the campaign that is different? The Stormers are top of the URC and began their continental journey with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.
The reactions after the game were promising too, with the squad and staff talking about their ambition, and the caliber of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the first match.
The Stormers look the most likely contender for a South African side to have a long run in the event, yet do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in the opening round but did play Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
The English and French Sides Produce a Thrilling Contest
There were a few contenders for best fixture, and that clash was a leading candidate.
Pau have been experiencing a outstanding campaign, led by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are currently runner-up in the Top 14 and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
