Following the opening salvo of the 2025-26 Champions Cup in the books, we delve into the major talking points stemming from the weekend's action.
Gallic supremacy has been the narrative in recent years, with the previous five victors all calling home France's Top 14. However, the initial stage included a number of statement victories from emerging challengers.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Retain Their Crown
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in this tournament last season, dominating Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the showpiece.
Positioned sixth in the Top 14, questions have been asked about their ability to repeat the feat this season. But, in their opener, Bordeaux sent a message that they are well-positioned of achieving back-to-back titles with a high-scoring triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Handed a challenging fixture at Loftus Versfeld against a strong Bulls side featuring stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the interval.
Yet, as champions do, they displayed their class in the final 40 minutes, roaring back to claim a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls without a point after the break.
Les Bleus stars aces Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any side with such firepower on the flanks stands a good chance against any competition.
Impressive Bath Seem Poised of A Deep Run
Bath's sole success in the Champions Cup was almost three decades ago. Since that time, they have perhaps not been more prepared to add a second star.
The reigning domestic title-holders are setting the pace at home after six games and will be hoping to transfer that success into continental competition – particularly following a shocking early departure the previous season.
Johann van Graan's men looked a very complete and polished team in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are highly placed in the Celtic league.
They marry offensive flair – securing the bonus point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, holding their visitors at arm's length when they threatened a late rally.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and a deep squad across the team, they have to be considered genuine challengers for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the initial phase last season was in the second round, an agonising 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a squad players.
Now with a Premiership title under their belt and top the home league, Van Graan might decide to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Major Blow
You will find strong teams everywhere you look, but their section seems destined to be one of the tightest.
In the existing pool system, a lot is said about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on Friday evening might just be pivotal.
The Glasgow Warriors were two scores behind after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries during the beginning of the second half gave them a valuable bonus-point win.
By achieving this, they provided their hopes of advancing a major lift and, conversely, dealt a hefty blow to Sale.
With Toulouse – dominant 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, in the same section, we can expect high-stakes drama.
And regarding Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They turned in one of their finest displays in Europe in a long time to surprise three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Could Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Puzzle?
If there's one team you would predict to be challenging at the sharp end of the continental campaign, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
Yet in the last few years it has not worked out, as they have been favourites but delivered little. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat a year ago after backing up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was believed that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to take them over the line, but they were surprised and endured a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This season they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a try assist on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Ready to Step Up
Ever since the teams from South Africa entered 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 succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with often rotated sides used.
Is this the year that turns around? The Stormers are first in the URC and began their European campaign with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were positive too, with individuals involved talking about their ambition, and the players such as Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the opening victory.
The Stormers seem the best bet for a team from South Africa to progress far in the event, but write off the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in the opening round but did play Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Saints and Pau Produce a Memorable Match
There were a few contenders for game of the weekend, and this one was a leading candidate.
Pau have been enjoying a superb season, guided by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are presently in second place in the Top 14 and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
