Following the opening salvo of the 2025-26 Champions Cup wrapped up, we delve into the major talking points emerging from the weekend's action.
French dominance has defined the competition in the past few campaigns, with the past five winners all representing France's elite division. Yet, the initial stage featured multiple statement victories from new contenders.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Go Back-to-Back
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were imperious in Europe the previous campaign, dismantling Toulouse in the last four and subsequently Northampton in the final.
Lying sixth in the Top 14, doubts have been raised about their capacity to retain the feat this year. However, in their opener, Bordeaux served notice that they are fully equipped of winning another trophy with a high-scoring triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Faced with a challenging fixture at a hostile venue against a powerful Bulls side boasting stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the interval.
However, as champions do, they displayed their class in the final 40 minutes, fighting back to secure a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls to zero after the halftime.
France international machines Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any outfit with those two on the flanks stands a good chance against any opponent.
Impressive Bath Seem Poised of A Deep Run
Bath's sole success in Europe came almost three decades 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 domestically after six games and will be hoping to translate that form into Europe – especially after a unexpected elimination the previous season.
Johann van Graan's team looked a extremely well-rounded and polished team in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are highly placed in the Celtic league.
They marry offensive flair – sealing the try-scoring point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, restraining their visitors at arm's length when they threatened a late rally.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and a deep squad all over the team, they are surely serious contenders for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the group stage the previous year occurred in the next fixture, an heartbreaking 22-21 setback at Benetton with a squad players.
Now with a domestic championship in their history and leading the home league, Van Graan might decide to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Significant Setback
The tournament contains strong teams in every pool, but Pool One looks set to be one of the most competitive.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is made about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on Friday evening might just turn out to be vital.
The Scottish side were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries early in the second half gave them a precious bonus-point win.
By achieving this, they gave their prospects of qualification a major lift and, by contrast, inflicted a hefty blow to the Sharks.
With Toulouse – imperious 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, sharing the group, we are likely to see plenty of fireworks.
And regarding Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They delivered one of their best European performances in a long time to stun three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for Scottish rugby.
Will Ioane Be the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Puzzle?
If there's one team you would fancy to be there or thereabouts at the later stages of the continental campaign, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
However in the last few years it has ended in disappointment, as they have shown great potential but delivered little. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat last season after backing up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was believed that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to secure the title, but they were caught out and experienced a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This year they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a key pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to return the cup to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Look Ready to Step Up
From the moment the SA franchises joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the last eight, and last year no South African side succeeded in getting out of the group stage, with several weakened teams selected.
Could this be the season that changes? The Stormers are top of the URC and began their continental journey with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.
The reactions after the game were encouraging too, with individuals involved speaking of their goals, and the players such as Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the round-one win.
The Stormers look the best bet for a South African side to progress far in the tournament, but don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in their first games but did face Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Saints and Pau Serve Up a Thrilling Contest
There were several candidates for match of the round, and that clash was right up there.
Pau have been experiencing a outstanding campaign, guided by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are right now second in the French league and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
