With the first round of the 2025-26 Champions Cup concluded, we explore the primary lessons emerging from the games.
French dominance has been the narrative in recent years, with the previous five victors all hailing from France's Top 14. Yet, the opening round showcased several impressive wins from new rivals.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Retain Their Crown
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in Europe the previous campaign, dominating Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the final.
Currently sitting sixth in the Top 14, doubts have been raised about their ability to repeat the accomplishment this year. Yet, in their opener, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are fully equipped of achieving another trophy with a free-flowing triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Faced with a difficult tie at the Bulls' fortress against a powerful Bulls side including talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the interval.
However, as champions do, they unleashed their power in the second period, roaring back to seal a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls scoreless after the break.
France international aces Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any team with that pair on the wings stands a good chance against whoever they face.
Formidable Bath Appear Equipped of Going the Distance
Bath's sole success in the Champions Cup dates back almost three decades ago. In the years since, they have arguably not been more prepared to add a second star.
The defending English Premiership champions are top of the pile in the league after six games and will be looking to carry that momentum into the Champions Cup – on the back of a shocking early departure in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's side looked a very complete and composed outfit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are among the leaders in the United Rugby Championship.
They combine attacking verve – earning the extra point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, restraining their guests at arm's length when they threatened a fightback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and quality reserves all over the team, they must be viewed as serious contenders for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's key result in the initial phase a year ago occurred in the next fixture, an heartbreaking 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a changed side.
After winning a Premiership title under their belt and leading domestically again, Van Graan may feel able to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Give Sale a Tough Start
You will find strong teams everywhere you look, but the first group seems destined to be one of the tightest.
In the existing pool system, a lot is made about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on Friday evening might just turn out to be vital.
The team from Scotland were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries during the beginning of the second period gave them a precious five points.
By achieving this, they gave their prospects of qualification a positive start and, in turn, handed a damaging defeat to Sale.
With the red and blacks – imperious 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, in the same section, we can expect many thrilling contests.
And regarding Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They delivered one of their top continental showings in a long time to stun former champions Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for the Scottish game.
Will Ioane Be the Key Addition of the Leinster Puzzle?
When considering a contender you would expect to be in the mix at the business end of the season in Europe, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
Yet in the last few years it has ended in disappointment, as they have promised much but delivered little. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites the previous campaign after following up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was thought that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to win the championship, but they were caught out and endured a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi.
Now 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.
Will Ioane prove to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Look Prepared to Challenge
Ever since the teams from South Africa joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the last eight, and in the last campaign not a single one managed to make it out of the group stage, with plenty of rotated sides used.
Could this be the season that changes? The Stormers are top of the URC and started their continental journey with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on the opening night.
The reactions after the game were positive too, with the squad and staff speaking of their aspirations, and the players such as stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the opening victory.
The Stormers look the most likely contender for a team from South Africa to progress far in the competition, but do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat this weekend but did face the French powerhouses respectively.
Northampton and Pau Produce a Memorable Match
There were a few contenders for match of the round, and this one was a leading candidate.
Pau have been enjoying a outstanding campaign, led by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are currently second in the French championship and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
