With the first round of the 2025-26 Champions Cup concluded, we examine the major talking points stemming from the fixtures.
Top 14 superiority has defined the competition in the past few campaigns, with the past five winners all representing France's Top 14. But, the first weekend featured several convincing performances from potential challengers.
Bordeaux Look Set to Retain Their Crown
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were imperious in this tournament the previous campaign, dominating Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the showpiece.
Lying sixth in the domestic standings, questions have been asked about their chances of defending the title now. But, in round one, Bordeaux served notice that they are fully equipped of winning back-to-back titles with a high-scoring win on the road in South Africa.
Given a difficult tie at a hostile venue against a formidable Bulls side featuring internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the interval.
But, demonstrating their pedigree, they showed their quality in the second half, fighting back to seal a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls to zero after the halftime.
Les Bleus stars machines Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any team with that pair on the flanks is a threat against whoever they face.
Powerful Bath Look Capable of Challenging for the Title
Bath's only triumph in Europe was almost 30 years ago. Since that time, they have arguably not been more strongly positioned 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 carry that momentum into continental competition – especially after a surprise group-stage exit last year.
Johann van Graan's men looked a extremely well-rounded and polished team in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are among the leaders in the United Rugby Championship.
They combine creative spark – securing the bonus point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, keeping their opponents at bay when they looked like mounting a late rally.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and quality reserves throughout the roster, they have to be considered genuine challengers for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the initial phase the previous year came in the second round, an narrow 22-21 setback at Benetton with a squad players.
Having secured a Premiership title to their name and leading the home league, Van Graan might decide to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Tough Start
There are quality outfits everywhere you look, but their section seems destined to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the existing pool system, a lot is made about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the first day might just be pivotal.
The Scottish side were two scores behind after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries during the beginning of the second period gave them a precious five points.
By achieving this, they provided their hopes of advancing a major lift and, conversely, dealt a damaging defeat to the Sharks.
With the French giants – commanding 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, also in the pool, we should be in for plenty of fireworks.
And regarding Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They produced one of their best European performances in years to surprise three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Is Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Quest?
When considering a contender you would predict to be challenging at the business end of the Champions Cup, it would be multiple champions 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 heavy favourites a year ago after backing up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was believed that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to take them over the line, but they were surprised and experienced a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This season they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a try assist on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to return the cup to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Look Equipped to Compete
Ever since the teams from South Africa became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the last eight, and in the last campaign none of them managed to make it out of the pool phase, with several rotated sides selected.
Is this the year that turns around? The Stormers are leading the URC and started their European campaign with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on the opening night.
The words from players and coaches were positive too, with the squad and staff expressing their ambition, and the players such as Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the opening victory.
The Stormers seem the strongest candidate for a South African side to go deep into the event, but don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated this weekend but did face formidable opponents respectively.
Northampton and Pau Serve Up a Classic Encounter
There were multiple possibilities for game of the weekend, and this one was right up there.
Pau have been having a outstanding season, spearheaded by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are currently runner-up in the French championship and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
