Following the initial matches of the 2025-26 Champions Cup concluded, we examine the primary lessons emerging from the fixtures.
Gallic supremacy has defined the competition in the past few campaigns, with the past five winners all hailing from France's top flight. But, the initial stage showcased a number of statement victories from emerging rivals.
Bordeaux Look Set to Retain Their Crown
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in the competition last season, dominating Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the showpiece.
Positioned sixth in the French league, doubts have been raised about their capacity to retain the feat this year. However, in their opener, Bordeaux sent a message that they are fully equipped of achieving back-to-back titles with a points-laden win on the road in South Africa.
Faced with a challenging fixture at a hostile venue against a strong Bulls side including internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the interval.
But, true to their champion status, they unleashed their power in the final 40 minutes, fighting back to claim a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls scoreless after the halftime.
French try-scoring aces Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any outfit with that pair on the edges stands a good chance against any competition.
Formidable Bath Look Capable of A Deep Run
Bath's only triumph in this competition dates back almost a generation ago. In the years since, they have probably never been better equipped to secure another title.
The reigning domestic title-holders are setting the pace at home after six games and will be aiming to transfer that success into Europe – especially after a surprise group-stage exit in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's men looked a very complete and balanced unit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are among the leaders in the Celtic league.
They combine attacking verve – sealing the extra point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, holding their guests at arm's length when they attempted a fightback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and a deep squad across the team, they have to be considered serious contenders for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the initial phase the previous year occurred in the second round, an agonising 22-21 loss at Benetton with a changed side.
After winning a domestic championship under their belt and top the home league, Van Graan may feel able to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Tough Start
There are strong teams in every pool, but Pool One appears poised 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 away victory at Sale on the opening night might just prove crucial.
The team from Scotland were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries during the beginning of the second period gave them a valuable five points.
With this result, they gave their chances of progressing a significant early boost and, by contrast, inflicted a significant setback to Sale.
With the red and blacks – dominant 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, in the same section, we can expect plenty of fireworks.
And as for Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They produced one of their best European performances in a long time to surprise three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Could Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Puzzle?
If there's one team you would predict to be in the mix at the later stages of the Champions Cup, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
Yet in the last few years it hasn't gone to plan, as they have promised much but delivered little. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites last season after following up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was thought that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to win the championship, but they were ambushed and suffered a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the last four.
Now they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a scoring pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 success against 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 became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and last year none of them was able to progress out of the pool phase, with several squads not at full strength used.
Is this the year that changes? The Stormers are leading the URC and began their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.
The reactions after the game were positive too, with individuals involved expressing their goals, and the likes of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the opening victory.
The Stormers look the best bet for a South African side to go deep into the event, but don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat this weekend but did meet the French powerhouses respectively.
The English and French Sides Deliver a Classic Encounter
There were a few contenders for best fixture, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was among the best.
Pau have been having a outstanding campaign, guided by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are presently second in the French championship and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
