Now that the first round of the 2025-26 Champions Cup concluded, we explore the major talking points highlighted by the weekend's action.
Gallic supremacy has been the narrative in recent years, with the last five champions all hailing from France's top flight. But, the opening round showcased several impressive wins from potential rivals.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Retain Their Crown
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were imperious in the competition a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the final.
Currently sitting sixth in the French league, some have suggested about their capacity to retain the title this year. Yet, in round one, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are well-positioned of winning back-to-back titles with a free-flowing triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Faced with a tough assignment at Loftus Versfeld against a strong Bulls side boasting internationals 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 second half, roaring back to claim a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls scoreless after the break.
French try-scoring machines Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any side with that pair on the wings has a chance against whoever they face.
Impressive Bath Appear Equipped of Going the Distance
Bath's only triumph in the Champions Cup dates back almost a generation ago. Since that time, they have arguably not been more prepared to win it again.
The current English champions are leading the way in the league after six games and will be looking to translate that form into the Champions Cup – on the back of a shocking early departure the previous season.
Johann van Graan's men looked a extremely well-rounded and balanced unit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are among the leaders in the URC.
They combine offensive flair – securing the extra point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, restraining their opponents at arm's length when they threatened a late rally.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and quality reserves throughout the team, they are surely serious contenders for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the pools a year ago occurred in the next fixture, an heartbreaking 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a squad players.
After winning a domestic championship to their name and top domestically again, Van Graan might decide to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Significant Setback
The tournament contains strong teams everywhere you look, but the first group seems destined to be one of the tightest.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is made about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the opening night might just prove crucial.
The team from Scotland were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries early in the second half gave them a valuable maximum haul.
With this result, they provided their prospects of qualification a positive start and, in turn, handed a hefty blow to their opponents.
With Toulouse – imperious 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, in the same section, we should be in for plenty of fireworks.
And as for Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They produced one of their finest displays in Europe in a long time to stun heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for the Scottish game.
Will Ioane Be the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Puzzle?
Should you pick one side you would fancy to be there or thereabouts at the business end of the continental campaign, it would be European giants Leinster.
Yet in recent campaigns it has ended in disappointment, as they have promised much but fallen short. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites a year ago after following up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was thought that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to take them over the line, but they were caught out and experienced a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
Now they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a scoring pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Look Equipped to Compete
From the moment the SA franchises joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and in the last campaign none of them succeeded in getting out of the group stage, with often rotated sides used.
Is this the year that is different? The Stormers are leading the URC and kicked off their continental journey with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The words from players and coaches were positive too, with the squad and staff expressing their goals, and the caliber of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the round-one win.
The Stormers look the strongest candidate for a SA franchise to go deep into the competition, although write off the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in the opening round but did face formidable opponents respectively.
Saints and Pau Produce a Memorable Match
There were a few contenders for best fixture, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was right up there.
Pau have been experiencing a superb season, guided by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are presently runner-up in the Top 14 and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
