Following the first round of the 2025-26 Champions Cup concluded, we explore the primary lessons emerging from the weekend's action.
Top 14 superiority has been the narrative in recent years, with the last five champions all hailing from France's elite division. But, the first weekend showcased several statement victories from new rivals.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Retain Their Crown
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in Europe last season, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the showpiece.
Lying sixth in the Top 14, questions have been asked about their capacity to retain the title this year. Yet, in their opener, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are fully equipped of achieving back-to-back titles with a free-flowing away victory in South Africa.
Handed a challenging fixture at Loftus Versfeld against a strong Bulls side boasting stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at half-time.
However, true to their champion status, they showed their quality in the second period, fighting back to seal a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls without a point after the halftime.
Les Bleus stars machines Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any outfit with such firepower on the wings is a threat against any competition.
Impressive Bath Seem Poised of Going the Distance
Bath's lone victory in Europe dates back almost a generation ago. In the years since, they have perhaps not been better equipped to win it again.
The reigning domestic title-holders are setting the pace at home after six games and will be hoping to carry that momentum into the Champions Cup – particularly following a surprise group-stage exit in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's team looked a extremely well-rounded and composed outfit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are among the leaders in the Celtic league.
They blend offensive flair – earning the try-scoring point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, keeping their opponents at bay when they threatened a fightback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and quality reserves throughout the squad, they have to be considered credible threats for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the group stage the previous year came in the second round, an agonising 22-21 setback at Benetton with a rotated team.
Having secured a domestic championship to their name and setting the pace domestically again, Van Graan might decide to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Tough Start
There are powerful sides everywhere you look, but their section seems destined to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is emphasized regarding securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the opening night might just be pivotal.
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 bonus-point win.
In doing so, they provided their hopes of advancing a significant early boost and, conversely, dealt a damaging defeat to their opponents.
With the red and blacks – dominant 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, sharing the group, we can expect high-stakes drama.
And what of Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They turned in one of their top continental showings in recent memory to surprise former champions Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for the Scottish game.
Will Ioane Be the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Puzzle?
If there's one team you would predict to be there or thereabouts at the sharp 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. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites the previous campaign after building on a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was believed that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to secure the title, but they were caught out and experienced a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi.
Now they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a scoring pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to secure European glory to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Seem Prepared to Challenge
From the moment the SA franchises became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the quarter-finals, and last year none of them was able to progress out of the group stage, with plenty of rotated sides fielded.
Is this the year that changes? The Stormers are first in the URC and started their continental journey with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on Friday.
The words from players and coaches were positive too, with individuals involved expressing their goals, and the players such as Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the first match.
The Stormers seem the best bet for a South African side to have a long run in the tournament, yet don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat this weekend but did play Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Northampton and Pau Serve Up a Memorable Match
There were a few contenders for match of the round, and that clash was a leading candidate.
Pau have been enjoying a superb campaign, spearheaded by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are currently in second place in the Top 14 and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
