Now that the first round of the 2025-26 Champions Cup concluded, we delve into the major talking points highlighted by the games.
Gallic supremacy has been the narrative in recent years, with the previous five victors all calling home France's elite division. But, the initial stage showcased a number of impressive wins from emerging challengers.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Go Back-to-Back
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in the competition last season, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the final.
Positioned sixth in the domestic standings, questions have been asked about their ability to repeat the feat this year. Yet, in round one, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are fully equipped of achieving back-to-back titles with a points-laden triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Given a difficult tie at a hostile venue against a powerful Bulls side boasting stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at half-time.
Yet, demonstrating their pedigree, they showed their quality in the second period, storming back to secure a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls without a point after the break.
French try-scoring aces Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any team with that pair on the edges has a chance against whoever they face.
Formidable Bath Appear Equipped of A Deep Run
Bath's sole success in this competition was almost a generation ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have probably never been better equipped to win it again.
The defending English Premiership champions are top of the pile at home after six games and will be aiming to transfer that success into Europe – on the back of a unexpected elimination last year.
Johann van Graan's team looked a extremely well-rounded and balanced unit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are third in the URC.
They combine attacking verve – earning the bonus point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, keeping their opponents at arm's length when they looked like mounting a fightback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and a deep squad all over the team, they have to be considered serious contenders for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the pools the previous year came in the following week, an narrow 22-21 loss at Benetton with a rotated team.
Having secured a league trophy in their history and leading domestically again, Van Graan could be inclined to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Major Blow
There are strong teams throughout the draw, but the first group appears poised to be one of the tightest.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is made about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the first day might just prove crucial.
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.
By achieving this, they handed their hopes of advancing a major lift and, conversely, dealt a damaging defeat to the Sharks.
With Toulouse – dominant 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, in the same section, we should be in for plenty of fireworks.
And regarding Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They delivered one of their top continental showings in recent memory to shock former champions Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Is Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Jigsaw?
Should you pick one side you would fancy to be there or thereabouts at the business end of the season in Europe, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
Yet 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 overwhelming favourites a year ago after backing up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was believed that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to take them over the line, but they were ambushed and experienced a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This year they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a scoring pass 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 Seem Equipped to Compete
From the moment the SA franchises became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the last eight, and last year no South African side succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with plenty of rotated sides selected.
Will this be the campaign that changes? The Stormers are leading the URC and kicked off their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.
The words from players and coaches were encouraging too, with players and coaches talking about their aspirations, and the players such as South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the first match.
The Stormers appear the best bet for a SA franchise to progress far in the competition, but write off the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in their first games but did meet the French powerhouses respectively.
Northampton and Pau Produce a Memorable Match
There were a few contenders for match of the round, and this one was a leading candidate.
Pau have been enjoying a outstanding season, spearheaded by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are presently runner-up in the French championship and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
