With the opening salvo of the 2025-26 Champions Cup wrapped up, we delve into the major talking points stemming from the weekend's action.
French dominance has defined the competition in the past few campaigns, with the last five champions all representing France's elite division. But, the initial stage featured multiple convincing performances from new challengers.
Bordeaux Look Set to Defend Their Title
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in Europe a year ago, dominating Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the final.
Lying sixth in the French league, questions have been asked about their chances of defending the title this season. However, in the first round, Bordeaux sent a message that they are fully equipped of achieving consecutive championships 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 were behind 33-22 at the interval.
However, true to their champion status, they unleashed their power in the second half, roaring back to secure a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls scoreless after the break.
Les Bleus stars machines Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any team with that pair on the edges is a threat against whoever they face.
Impressive Bath Look Capable of Challenging for the Title
Bath's only triumph in this competition dates back almost a generation ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have arguably not been more prepared to add a second star.
The reigning domestic title-holders are top of the pile in the league after six games and will be aiming to translate that form into the Champions Cup – especially after a surprise group-stage exit in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's men looked a extremely well-rounded and composed outfit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are highly placed in the URC.
They marry creative spark – earning the extra point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, restraining their visitors at bay when they looked like mounting a dramatic comeback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and strength in depth all over the team, they have to be considered credible threats for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's key result in the initial phase last season came in the following week, an narrow 22-21 loss at Benetton with a changed side.
Now with a domestic championship under their belt 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 Tough Start
The tournament contains 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 said about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the opening night might just be pivotal.
The team from Scotland were two scores behind after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries early in the second half gave them a all-important five points.
In doing so, they provided their hopes of advancing a significant early boost and, in turn, inflicted a damaging defeat to their opponents.
With Toulouse – commanding 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, in the same section, we are likely to see many thrilling contests.
And regarding Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They turned in one of their best European performances in recent memory to surprise heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for Scottish rugby.
Could Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Quest?
If there's one team you would expect to be in the mix at the sharp end of the season in Europe, it would be European giants Leinster.
However in recent seasons it has ended in disappointment, as they have shown great potential but delivered little. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites last season after building on a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was hoped that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to win the championship, but they were ambushed and endured a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the last four.
Now they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a scoring pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Look Prepared to Challenge
Since the South African sides entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and the previous season no South African side managed to make it out of the group stage, with often squads not at full strength fielded.
Will this be the campaign that changes? The Stormers are first in the URC and began their European campaign with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were encouraging too, with individuals involved talking about their ambition, and the likes of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the first match.
The Stormers appear the strongest candidate for a South African side to have a long run in the competition, but do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat this weekend but did meet Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Northampton and Pau Deliver a Classic Encounter
There were several candidates for match of the round, and that clash was a leading candidate.
Pau have been having a superb season, guided by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are presently in second place in the French league and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
