With the first round of the 2025-26 Champions Cup in the books, we explore the primary lessons stemming from the games.
Top 14 superiority has ruled the roost in the past few campaigns, with the previous five victors all representing France's Top 14. But, the initial stage included multiple statement victories from potential rivals.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Retain Their Crown
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in the competition the previous campaign, dominating Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the final.
Lying sixth in the domestic standings, doubts have been raised about their ability to repeat the feat now. However, in the first round, Bordeaux served notice that they are fully equipped of winning another trophy with a free-flowing triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Given a difficult tie at Loftus Versfeld against a powerful Bulls side including internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the break.
But, as champions do, they showed their quality in the second half, storming back to secure a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls without a point after the interval.
French try-scoring machines Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any outfit with those two on the flanks stands a good chance against whoever they face.
Impressive Bath Appear Equipped of A Deep Run
Bath's sole success in Europe dates back almost 30 years ago. In the years since, they have perhaps not been more strongly positioned to secure another title.
The current English champions are top of the pile at home after six games and will be aiming to translate that form into the Champions Cup – on the back of a shocking early departure in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's side looked a highly composed and composed outfit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are third in the Celtic league.
They combine offensive flair – earning the extra point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, restraining their opponents at a distance when they threatened a fightback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and quality reserves across the team, they have to be considered serious contenders for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the initial phase a year ago came in the next fixture, an heartbreaking 22-21 loss at Benetton with a rotated team.
Having secured a domestic championship in their history and leading domestically again, Van Graan might decide to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Major Blow
You will find quality outfits throughout the draw, but Pool One appears poised to be one of the tightest.
In the existing pool system, a lot is said about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the first day might just be pivotal.
The Scottish side were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries during the beginning of the second half gave them a valuable five points.
With this result, they gave their chances of progressing a major lift and, in turn, handed a hefty blow to Sale.
With Toulouse – imperious 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, sharing the group, we should be in for many thrilling contests.
And regarding Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They delivered one of their best European performances in years to shock three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for Scottish rugby.
Could Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Puzzle?
If there's one team you would predict to be in the mix at the later stages of the season in Europe, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
But in recent seasons it has ended in disappointment, as they have shown great potential but not won the trophy. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites last season after building on a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was thought that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to secure the title, but they were caught out and suffered a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This year they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a scoring pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Equipped to Compete
Ever since the teams from South Africa entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and the previous season no South African side managed to make it out of the group stage, with often rotated sides used.
Will this be the campaign that is different? The Stormers are first in the URC and started their continental journey with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on Friday.
The reactions after the game were promising too, with players and coaches expressing their aspirations, and the caliber of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the first match.
The Stormers appear the best bet for a South African side to go deep into the event, yet do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in their first games but did face Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
The English and French Sides Deliver a Memorable Match
There were several candidates for best fixture, and that clash was among the best.
Pau have been experiencing a outstanding season, guided by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are currently in second place in the Top 14 and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
