Following the first round of the 2025-26 Champions Cup wrapped up, we delve into the major talking points stemming from the fixtures.
Gallic supremacy has defined the competition in recent seasons, with the last five champions all representing France's Top 14. Yet, the initial stage featured a number of impressive wins from potential rivals.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Go Back-to-Back
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in this tournament a year ago, dominating Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the showpiece.
Currently sitting sixth in the French league, doubts have been raised about their ability to repeat the accomplishment now. Yet, in round one, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are fully equipped of securing another trophy with a free-flowing away victory in South Africa.
Faced with a difficult tie at the Bulls' fortress against a strong Bulls side including talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at half-time.
But, demonstrating their pedigree, they showed their quality in the second half, storming back to claim a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls scoreless after the break.
Les Bleus stars machines Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any team with that pair on the flanks is a threat against whoever they face.
Powerful Bath Seem Poised of Challenging for the Title
Bath's lone victory in this competition was almost 30 years ago. Since that time, they have arguably not been more prepared to add a second star.
The defending English Premiership champions are setting the pace domestically after six games and will be hoping to transfer that success into Europe – particularly following a surprise group-stage exit last year.
Johann van Graan's team looked a highly composed and composed outfit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are among the leaders in the URC.
They marry offensive flair – securing the try-scoring point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, keeping their visitors at bay when they looked like mounting a fightback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and quality reserves all over the team, they must be viewed as genuine challengers for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the pools a year ago came in the next fixture, an narrow 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a squad players.
Now with a league trophy to their name and leading the home league, Van Graan might decide to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Major Blow
The tournament contains strong teams everywhere you look, but their section looks set to be one of the most competitive.
In the existing pool system, a lot is said about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the opening night might just turn out to be vital.
The Scottish side were two scores behind after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries early in the second half gave them a precious maximum haul.
With this result, they handed their chances of progressing a major lift and, in turn, inflicted a damaging defeat to Sale.
With the red and blacks – imperious 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, in the same section, we should be in for many thrilling contests.
And regarding Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They produced one of their finest displays in Europe in a long time to shock former champions Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for Scottish rugby.
Is Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Jigsaw?
When considering a contender you would expect to be challenging at the business end of the season in Europe, it would be European giants Leinster.
However in recent seasons it has not worked out, as they have shown great potential but fallen short. Runners-up 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 round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was hoped that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to take them over the line, but they were ambushed and suffered a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This year they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a scoring pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Ready to Step Up
Since the South African sides became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and the previous season none of them was able to progress out of the group stage, with several rotated sides selected.
Is this the year that turns around? The Stormers are first in the URC and started their European campaign with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.
The reactions after the game were encouraging too, with individuals involved speaking of their aspirations, and the players such as stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the opening victory.
The Stormers look the most likely contender for a team from South Africa to progress far in the event, but write off the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated this weekend but did meet the French powerhouses respectively.
Northampton and Pau Deliver a Memorable Match
There were several candidates for game of the weekend, and this one was a leading candidate.
Pau have been experiencing a superb season, guided by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are currently runner-up in the French championship and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
