Now that the first round of the 2025-26 Champions Cup wrapped up, we delve into the primary lessons highlighted by the weekend's action.
Gallic supremacy has ruled the roost in recent years, with the previous five victors all hailing from France's Top 14. But, the opening round featured multiple impressive wins from potential rivals.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Retain Their Crown
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in this tournament a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the grand finale.
Positioned sixth in the domestic standings, some have suggested about their ability to repeat the title now. Yet, in the first round, Bordeaux served notice that they are fully equipped of securing consecutive championships with a high-scoring away victory in South Africa.
Given a challenging fixture at the Bulls' fortress against a strong Bulls side boasting stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the break.
However, demonstrating their pedigree, they displayed their class in the second half, fighting back to seal a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls scoreless after the interval.
France international aces Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any side with that pair on the edges stands a good chance against any opponent.
Formidable Bath Appear Equipped of A Deep Run
Bath's sole success in this competition was almost 30 years ago. In the years since, they have arguably not been more prepared to win it again.
The current English champions are top of the pile in the league after six games and will be hoping to transfer that success into continental competition – on the back of a surprise group-stage exit in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's side looked a very complete and balanced unit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are third in the URC.
They marry creative spark – earning the try-scoring point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, restraining their guests at a distance when they attempted a fightback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and quality reserves all over the team, they are surely genuine challengers for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the group stage a year ago occurred in the following week, an narrow 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a rotated team.
Now with a league trophy under their belt and setting the pace domestically again, Van Graan could be inclined to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Give Sale a Significant Setback
You will find powerful sides throughout the draw, but their section appears poised to be one of the most competitive.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is said about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the opening night might just be pivotal.
The Glasgow Warriors were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries early in the second half gave them a precious five points.
By achieving this, they gave their prospects of qualification a major lift and, by contrast, dealt a damaging defeat to Sale.
With Toulouse – commanding 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, also in the pool, we should be in for many thrilling contests.
And regarding Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They produced one of their finest displays in Europe in years to shock heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for the Scottish game.
Is Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Puzzle?
If there's one team you would expect to be in the mix at the business end of the continental campaign, it would be European giants Leinster.
However in the last few years it hasn't gone to plan, as they have been favourites but fallen short. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat a year ago after building on a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was thought that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to win the championship, but they were ambushed and endured a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This year they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a try assist on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 win over 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 best performance by any of them is the last eight, and in the last campaign not a single one succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with plenty of squads not at full strength selected.
Will this be the campaign that turns around? The Stormers are leading the URC and kicked off their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.
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 not involved for the opening victory.
The Stormers appear the most likely contender for a team from South Africa to progress far in the event, but don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in the opening round but did play formidable opponents respectively.
The English and French Sides Serve Up a Classic Encounter
There were multiple possibilities for match of the round, and that clash was among the best.
Pau have been enjoying a outstanding campaign, guided by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are currently in second place in the French championship and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
