Following the first round of the 2025-26 Champions Cup in the books, we delve into the major talking points stemming from the weekend's action.
Gallic supremacy has ruled the roost in recent years, with the past five winners all hailing from France's top flight. But, the first weekend included several impressive wins from potential challengers.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Defend Their Title
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in this tournament last season, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the grand finale.
Currently sitting sixth in the domestic standings, some have suggested about their ability to repeat the accomplishment now. But, in the first round, Bordeaux sent a message that they are more than capable of achieving back-to-back titles with a free-flowing away victory in South Africa.
Faced with a tough assignment at Loftus Versfeld against a formidable Bulls side including talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the break.
However, as champions do, they showed their quality in the second half, storming back to secure a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls without a point after the halftime.
France international phenoms Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any side with that pair on the edges is a threat against any competition.
Powerful Bath Appear Equipped of Challenging for the Title
Bath's only triumph in the Champions Cup was almost a generation ago. In the years since, they have arguably not been more strongly positioned to win it again.
The reigning domestic title-holders are top of the pile in the league after six games and will be looking to transfer that success into Europe – particularly following a surprise group-stage exit in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's team looked a extremely well-rounded and polished team in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are highly placed in the URC.
They marry attacking verve – sealing the try-scoring point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, restraining their guests at a distance when they threatened a fightback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and strength in depth throughout the roster, they must be viewed as credible threats for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's key result in the pools the previous year was in the following week, an narrow 22-21 loss at Benetton with a rotated team.
Having secured a domestic championship under their belt and leading domestically again, Van Graan might decide to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Tough Start
You will find quality outfits everywhere you look, but the first group seems destined to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is made about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on Friday evening might just be pivotal.
The Scottish side were two scores behind after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries during the beginning of the second half gave them a valuable bonus-point win.
In doing so, they handed their hopes of advancing a major lift and, in turn, dealt a hefty blow to the Sharks.
With the red and blacks – dominant 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, sharing the group, we should be in for high-stakes drama.
And as for Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They delivered one of their finest displays in Europe in recent memory to stun three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for the Scottish game.
Is Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Jigsaw?
When considering a contender you would fancy to be challenging at the sharp end of the season in Europe, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
Yet in recent seasons it hasn't gone to plan, as they have promised much but not won the trophy. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites a year ago after backing up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was thought that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the key player to take them over the line, but they were surprised and experienced a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This year they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a key pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Ready to Step Up
From the moment the SA franchises entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and in the last campaign not a single one managed to make it out of the pool phase, with often rotated sides used.
Could this be the season that turns around? The Stormers are first in the URC and kicked off their European campaign with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.
The reactions after the game were promising too, with the squad and staff speaking of their goals, and the likes of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the round-one win.
The Stormers seem the most likely contender for a team from South Africa to go deep into the event, yet don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in their first games but did play the French powerhouses respectively.
Saints and Pau Deliver a Classic Encounter
There were multiple possibilities for best fixture, and this one was a leading candidate.
Pau have been having a outstanding season, guided by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are right now runner-up in the French championship and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
