Now that the initial matches of the 2025-26 Champions Cup wrapped up, we explore the key revelations stemming from the weekend's action.
Top 14 superiority has defined the competition in recent seasons, with the past five winners all hailing from France's top flight. But, the initial stage showcased multiple convincing performances from new rivals.
Bordeaux Look Set to Defend Their Title
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were imperious in this tournament the previous campaign, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the final.
Positioned sixth in the Top 14, some have suggested about their ability to repeat the title this year. However, in the first round, Bordeaux sent a message that they are fully equipped of securing consecutive championships with a free-flowing triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Handed a challenging fixture at a hostile venue against a formidable Bulls side boasting talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at half-time.
However, true to their champion status, they unleashed their power in the second half, storming back to seal a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls without a point after the halftime.
France international phenoms Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any outfit with that pair on the wings is a threat against any opponent.
Formidable Bath Seem Poised of A Deep Run
Bath's lone victory in Europe dates back almost a generation ago. In the years since, they have arguably not been more prepared to win it again.
The defending English Premiership champions are top of the pile domestically after six games and will be aiming to translate that form into Europe – particularly following a surprise group-stage exit the previous season.
Johann van Graan's side looked a very complete and polished team in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are third in the United Rugby Championship.
They combine creative spark – securing the extra point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, restraining their guests at bay when they attempted a fightback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and strength in depth all over the squad, they must be viewed as credible threats for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the pools a year ago came in the following week, an narrow 22-21 loss at Benetton with a changed side.
After winning a league trophy under their belt and top in England once more, Van Graan might decide to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Significant Setback
The tournament contains powerful sides throughout the draw, but their section appears poised to be one of the most competitive.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is made about securing home wins, 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 came back strongly, and two tries during the beginning of the second period gave them a valuable maximum haul.
With this result, they handed their hopes of advancing a significant early boost and, in turn, dealt a damaging defeat to Sale.
With Toulouse – commanding 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, in the same section, we should be in for plenty of fireworks.
And what of Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They turned in one of their best European performances in a long time to shock heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for Scottish rugby.
Will Ioane Be the Key Addition of the Leinster Quest?
If there's one team you would predict to be there or thereabouts at the sharp end of the Champions Cup, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
However in recent seasons it hasn't gone to plan, as they have been favourites but delivered little. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites last season after backing up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was believed that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to secure the title, but they were ambushed and experienced a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This year they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a scoring pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Look Ready to Step Up
From the moment the SA franchises entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the quarter-finals, and in the last campaign no South African side succeeded in getting out of the group stage, with plenty of rotated sides fielded.
Could this be the season that is different? The Stormers are leading the URC and began their European campaign with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on Friday.
The reactions after the game were encouraging too, with individuals involved speaking of their goals, and the likes of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the round-one win.
The Stormers look the strongest candidate for a SA franchise to have a long run in the competition, yet don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost this weekend but did play Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Northampton and Pau Deliver a Thrilling Contest
There were multiple possibilities for best fixture, and that clash was right up there.
Pau have been experiencing a brilliant season, guided by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are right now second in the Top 14 and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
