Now that the initial matches of the 2025-26 Champions Cup in the books, we explore the key revelations emerging from the fixtures.
Gallic supremacy has been the narrative in the past few campaigns, with the previous five victors all calling home France's Top 14. But, the initial stage showcased several convincing performances from new rivals.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Defend Their Title
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in this tournament the previous campaign, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the showpiece.
Currently sitting sixth in the French league, doubts have been raised about their chances of defending the title this year. Yet, in the first round, Bordeaux served notice that they are well-positioned of winning another trophy with a high-scoring triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Handed a tough assignment at the Bulls' fortress against a powerful Bulls side including stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the break.
However, demonstrating their pedigree, they showed their quality in the final 40 minutes, storming back to seal a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls without a point after the halftime.
Les Bleus stars aces Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any outfit with that pair on the edges is a threat against any opponent.
Formidable Bath Seem Poised of Challenging for the Title
Bath's lone victory in Europe came almost 30 years ago. Since that time, they have perhaps not been more prepared to win it again.
The defending English Premiership champions are leading the way in the league after six games and will be hoping to carry that momentum into the Champions Cup – particularly following a shocking early departure last year.
Johann van Graan's men looked a extremely well-rounded and balanced unit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are highly placed in the United Rugby Championship.
They combine offensive flair – sealing the try-scoring point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, holding their guests at a distance when they looked like mounting a dramatic comeback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and a deep squad all over the squad, they have to be considered serious contenders for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's key result in the group stage last season occurred in the following week, an agonising 22-21 loss at Benetton with a rotated team.
After winning a league trophy to their name and top domestically again, Van Graan could be inclined to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Major Blow
The tournament contains powerful sides everywhere you look, but Pool One appears poised to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is said about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the first day might just prove crucial.
The Scottish side were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries during the beginning of the second half gave them a valuable maximum haul.
With this result, they provided their hopes of advancing a major lift and, in turn, dealt a damaging defeat to the Sharks.
With the red and blacks – commanding 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, in the same section, we can expect plenty of fireworks.
And what of Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They produced one of their top continental showings in a long time to surprise three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Could Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Puzzle?
When considering a contender you would expect to be challenging at the later stages of the continental campaign, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
Yet in the last few years it has not worked out, as they have been favourites but delivered little. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat last season after backing up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was thought that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to win the championship, but they were caught out and endured a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
Now they are testing another New Zealand import, 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 bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Appear Ready to Step Up
From the moment the SA franchises became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and last year no South African side was able to progress out of the group stage, with plenty of rotated sides used.
Could this be the season that is different? The Stormers are leading the URC and began their continental journey with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.
The words from players and coaches were promising too, with the squad and staff talking about their goals, and the likes of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the first match.
The Stormers appear the most likely contender for a team from South Africa to have a long run in the event, but write off 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 Memorable Match
There were multiple possibilities for game of the weekend, and that clash was right up there.
Pau have been having a superb season, led by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are currently in second place in the French championship and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
