Following the first round of the 2025-26 Champions Cup wrapped up, we delve into the primary lessons highlighted by the weekend's action.
French dominance has defined the competition in recent seasons, with the last five champions all calling home France's Top 14. Yet, the opening round featured several convincing performances from potential challengers.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Go Back-to-Back
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in this tournament a year ago, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the final.
Currently sitting sixth in the Top 14, questions have been asked about their chances of defending the feat this season. However, in round one, Bordeaux served notice that they are fully equipped of achieving another trophy with a points-laden triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Given a tough assignment at a hostile venue against a formidable Bulls side including talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the interval.
But, demonstrating their pedigree, they unleashed their power in the final 40 minutes, storming back to seal a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls scoreless after the interval.
France international machines Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any outfit with those two on the edges has a chance against any opponent.
Impressive Bath Look Capable of A Deep Run
Bath's lone victory in Europe dates back almost 30 years ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have probably never been more prepared to win it again.
The defending English Premiership champions are setting the pace at home after six games and will be hoping to carry that momentum into Europe – on the back of a unexpected elimination the previous season.
Johann van Graan's men looked a highly composed and composed outfit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are among the leaders in the United Rugby Championship.
They blend offensive flair – earning the extra point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, holding their opponents at a distance when they looked like mounting a fightback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and strength in depth all over the squad, they are surely credible threats for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's key result in the group stage a year ago came in the next fixture, an heartbreaking 22-21 setback at Benetton with a squad players.
After winning a domestic championship in their history and setting the pace in England once more, Van Graan might decide to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Give Sale a Significant Setback
The tournament contains quality outfits in every pool, but their section looks set to be one of the most competitive.
In the existing pool system, a lot is made about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the first day might just be pivotal.
The Glasgow Warriors were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries early in the second period gave them a precious maximum haul.
With this result, they provided their chances of progressing a significant early boost and, in turn, dealt a damaging defeat to Sale.
With Toulouse – imperious 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, in the same section, we are likely to see many thrilling contests.
And what of Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They produced one of their top continental showings in years to stun former champions Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Could Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Quest?
If there's one team you would predict to be challenging at the business end of the continental campaign, it would be European giants Leinster.
But in recent seasons it has ended in disappointment, as they have been favourites but delivered little. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites a year ago after backing up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was hoped that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to take them over the line, but they were ambushed and endured a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This year they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a key pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Look Prepared to Challenge
Ever since the teams from South Africa became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the quarter-finals, and the previous season no South African side succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with plenty of rotated sides fielded.
Could this be the season that turns around? The Stormers are leading the URC and began their European campaign with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were positive too, with the squad and staff expressing their goals, and the caliber of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the round-one win.
The Stormers look the strongest candidate for a team from South Africa to have a long run in the tournament, yet don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in their first games but did meet the French powerhouses respectively.
Saints and Pau Serve Up a Thrilling Contest
There were several candidates for match of the round, and that clash was a leading candidate.
Pau have been enjoying a outstanding season, guided by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are presently second in the Top 14 and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
