Following the opening salvo of the 2025-26 Champions Cup wrapped up, we explore the primary lessons emerging from the weekend's action.
Top 14 superiority has been the narrative in the past few campaigns, with the last five champions all representing France's top flight. But, the initial stage included multiple impressive wins from emerging rivals.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Retain Their Crown
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were imperious in this tournament a year ago, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the grand finale.
Lying sixth in the French league, some have suggested about their chances of defending the title this year. But, in round one, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are fully equipped of achieving another trophy with a free-flowing win on the road in South Africa.
Handed a difficult tie at Loftus Versfeld against a powerful Bulls side featuring stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the break.
But, as champions do, they displayed their class in the second period, storming back to claim a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls without a point after the halftime.
France international aces Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any outfit with those two on the edges is a threat against any opponent.
Powerful Bath Appear Equipped of A Deep Run
Bath's only triumph in this competition dates back almost three decades ago. In the years since, they have arguably not been more strongly positioned to secure another title.
The defending English Premiership champions are top of the pile domestically after six games and will be hoping to carry that momentum into Europe – particularly following a shocking early departure the previous season.
Johann van Graan's team looked a extremely well-rounded and polished team in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are highly placed in the United Rugby Championship.
They marry attacking verve – sealing the bonus point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, restraining their guests at a distance when they attempted a dramatic comeback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and a deep squad throughout the squad, they are surely serious contenders for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's key result in the pools the previous year came in the next fixture, an heartbreaking 22-21 loss at Benetton with a rotated team.
After winning a domestic championship to their name and leading the home league, Van Graan may feel able to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Tough Start
You will find strong teams throughout the draw, but their section seems destined to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the existing pool system, a lot is emphasized regarding winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the opening night might just turn out to be vital.
The Glasgow Warriors were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries during the beginning of the second period gave them a precious five points.
In doing so, they gave their prospects of qualification a major lift and, by contrast, inflicted a hefty blow to Sale.
With Toulouse – commanding 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, sharing the group, we are likely to see many thrilling contests.
And as for Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They delivered one of their finest displays in Europe in a long time to stun three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Is Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Jigsaw?
Should you pick one side you would fancy to be in the mix at the sharp end of the Champions Cup, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
Yet in recent campaigns it has ended in disappointment, as they have promised much but not won the trophy. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites a year ago after building on a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was believed that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to take them over the line, but they were ambushed and suffered a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi.
Now they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a key pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to return the cup to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Look Equipped to Compete
Since the South African sides became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and last year not a single one was able to progress out of the pool phase, with often squads not at full strength used.
Is this the year that turns around? The Stormers are top of the URC and began their European campaign with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were positive too, with the squad and staff expressing their goals, and the likes of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the round-one win.
The Stormers look the strongest candidate for a SA franchise to progress far in the event, although write off the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost this weekend but did face formidable opponents respectively.
Northampton and Pau Produce a Memorable Match
There were several candidates for best fixture, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was a leading candidate.
Pau have been experiencing a superb season, spearheaded by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are currently runner-up in the Top 14 and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
