With the initial matches of the 2025-26 Champions Cup in the books, we examine the primary lessons stemming from the weekend's action.
Gallic supremacy has defined the competition in recent years, with the last five champions all calling home France's elite division. Yet, the opening round featured several statement victories from emerging contenders.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Go Back-to-Back
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in the competition a year ago, dominating Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the final.
Currently sitting sixth in the domestic standings, some have suggested about their chances of defending the accomplishment this year. Yet, in round one, Bordeaux served notice that they are more than capable of winning back-to-back titles with a high-scoring away victory in South Africa.
Faced with a challenging fixture at the Bulls' fortress 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 second period, fighting back to seal a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls scoreless after the break.
French try-scoring aces Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any team with such firepower on the wings has a chance against any opponent.
Formidable Bath Look Capable of A Deep Run
Bath's sole success in the Champions Cup was almost 30 years ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have arguably not been more strongly positioned to win it again.
The current English champions are leading the way at home after six games and will be aiming to carry that momentum into Europe – particularly following a unexpected elimination in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's side looked a extremely well-rounded and balanced unit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are third in the Celtic league.
They blend creative spark – earning the extra point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, restraining their guests at arm's length when they attempted a late rally.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and a deep squad all over the squad, they have to be considered genuine challengers for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's key result in the initial phase last season was in the following week, an narrow 22-21 loss at Benetton with a rotated team.
Having secured a league trophy to their name and leading in England once more, Van Graan may feel able to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Give Sale a Significant Setback
You will find powerful sides in every pool, but Pool One seems destined to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is said about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the opening night might just turn out to be vital.
The Scottish side were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a precious bonus-point win.
In doing so, they gave their prospects of qualification a positive start and, in turn, handed a damaging defeat to their opponents.
With the French giants – dominant 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, sharing the group, we are likely to see many thrilling contests.
And as for Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They delivered one of their best European performances in years to shock three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for the Scottish game.
Could Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Quest?
If there's one team you would expect to be challenging at the sharp end of the season in Europe, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
Yet in recent seasons it has ended in disappointment, as they have promised much but fallen short. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites the previous campaign after following up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 demolition 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 caught out and endured a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This season they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a try assist on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Appear Prepared to Challenge
From the moment the SA franchises joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the last eight, and last year no South African side was able to progress out of the group stage, with often rotated sides selected.
Could this be the season that changes? The Stormers are first in the URC and began their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The reactions after the game were promising too, with players and coaches expressing their aspirations, and the likes of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the opening victory.
The Stormers seem the best bet for a South African side to go deep into the event, yet do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated this weekend but did play formidable opponents respectively.
Saints and Pau Serve Up a Thrilling Contest
There were multiple possibilities for match of the round, and that clash was right up there.
Pau have been experiencing a superb season, spearheaded by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are right now in second place in the French championship and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
