Following the initial matches of the 2025-26 Champions Cup concluded, we examine the key revelations emerging from the weekend's action.
Top 14 superiority has defined the competition in recent years, with the last five champions all representing France's elite division. However, the opening round featured several statement victories from potential contenders.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Defend Their Title
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in the competition a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the final.
Currently sitting sixth in the French league, doubts have been raised about their ability to repeat the title this season. However, in round one, Bordeaux sent a message that they are more than capable of achieving back-to-back titles with a points-laden triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Given a challenging fixture at the Bulls' fortress against a strong Bulls side including stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the interval.
Yet, as champions do, they showed their quality in the second period, storming back to seal a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls without a point after the interval.
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 has a chance against any opponent.
Impressive Bath Seem Poised of Challenging for the Title
Bath's only triumph in this competition came almost a generation ago. Since that time, they have perhaps not been better equipped to add a second star.
The reigning domestic title-holders are leading the way domestically after six games and will be hoping to translate that form into the Champions Cup – on the back of a shocking early departure in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's men looked a very complete and polished team in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are among the leaders in the Celtic league.
They marry offensive flair – securing the try-scoring point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, holding their visitors at a distance when they looked like mounting a dramatic comeback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and quality reserves across the squad, they are surely credible threats for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the pools a year ago came in the next fixture, an agonising 22-21 loss at Benetton with a squad players.
Now with a Premiership title in their history and leading the home league, Van Graan may feel able to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Tough Start
You will find strong teams everywhere you look, but the first group looks set to be one of the most competitive.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is emphasized regarding securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on Friday evening might just prove crucial.
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.
With this result, they handed their hopes of advancing a significant early boost and, in turn, inflicted a significant setback to the Sharks.
With Toulouse – commanding 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, in the same section, we are likely to see high-stakes drama.
And regarding Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They turned in one of their top continental showings in recent memory to surprise former champions Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Will Ioane Be the Final Piece of the Leinster Quest?
Should you pick one side you would predict to be in the mix at the sharp end of the continental campaign, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
However in recent seasons it has ended in disappointment, as they have promised much but not won the trophy. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites last season after following up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was hoped that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the key player to take them over the line, but they were surprised and suffered a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This year they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a try assist on his first appearance 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
From the moment the SA franchises became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and last year no South African side succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with often weakened teams selected.
Is this the year that is different? The Stormers are leading the URC and started their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on the opening night.
The reactions after the game were encouraging too, with players and coaches expressing their aspirations, and the likes of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the opening victory.
The Stormers seem the best bet for a SA franchise to progress far in the tournament, yet write off the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost this weekend but did face Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Saints and Pau Deliver a Thrilling Contest
There were several candidates for game of the weekend, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was right up there.
Pau have been experiencing a superb campaign, guided by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are right now in second place in the French championship and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
