Now that the first round of the 2025-26 Champions Cup concluded, we examine the primary lessons stemming from the weekend's action.
Top 14 superiority has defined the competition in recent seasons, with the previous five victors all representing France's elite division. Yet, the initial stage showcased multiple impressive wins from emerging challengers.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Defend Their Title
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in Europe a year ago, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the final.
Currently sitting sixth in the domestic standings, doubts have been raised about their capacity to retain the title now. However, in round one, Bordeaux served notice that they are more than capable of securing back-to-back titles with a points-laden triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Given a challenging fixture at a hostile venue against a powerful Bulls side including talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the interval.
But, demonstrating their pedigree, they showed their quality in the second period, fighting back to seal a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls scoreless after the interval.
French try-scoring phenoms Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any side with those two on the flanks has a chance against any opponent.
Powerful Bath Look Capable of Challenging for the Title
Bath's only triumph in the Champions Cup was almost three decades ago. Since that time, they have perhaps not been better equipped to secure another title.
The current English champions are leading the way at home after six games and will be hoping to carry that momentum into Europe – especially after a shocking early departure last year.
Johann van Graan's side looked a very complete and balanced unit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are third in the United Rugby Championship.
They marry attacking verve – sealing the bonus point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, restraining their opponents at arm's length when they looked like mounting a dramatic comeback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and a deep squad all over the squad, they must be viewed as serious contenders for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's key result in the group stage the previous year came in the second round, an narrow 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a rotated team.
Now with a Premiership title to their name and top in England once more, Van Graan may feel able to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Tough Start
The tournament contains quality outfits in every pool, but Pool One appears poised to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the existing pool system, a lot is emphasized regarding securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on Friday evening might just prove crucial.
The team from Scotland were two scores behind after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries during the beginning of the second period gave them a all-important bonus-point win.
In doing so, they gave their prospects of qualification a significant early boost and, in turn, dealt a hefty blow to the Sharks.
With the red and blacks – commanding 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, sharing the group, we can expect plenty of fireworks.
And regarding Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They delivered one of their best European performances in recent memory to surprise three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for Scottish rugby.
Will Ioane Be the Final Piece of the Leinster Puzzle?
Should you pick one side you would expect to be there or thereabouts at the sharp end of the continental campaign, it would be European giants Leinster.
Yet in recent seasons it has ended in disappointment, as they have been favourites but delivered little. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites a year ago after building on a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was believed that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to win the championship, but they were caught out and endured a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This season they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a scoring pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Appear Prepared to Challenge
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 none of them was able to progress out of the group stage, with several squads not at full strength selected.
Could this be the season that is different? The Stormers are first in the URC and began their European campaign with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on Friday.
The words from players and coaches were positive too, with the squad and staff expressing their ambition, and the caliber of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the round-one win.
The Stormers appear the best bet for a South African side to have a long run in the competition, although write off the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in the opening round but did meet the French powerhouses respectively.
The English and French Sides Produce a Thrilling Contest
There were multiple possibilities for game of the weekend, and this one was right up there.
Pau have been having a superb season, led by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are presently second in the French league and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
