Following the initial matches of the 2025-26 Champions Cup wrapped up, we delve into the key revelations emerging from the fixtures.
Gallic supremacy has defined the competition in recent years, with the past five winners all hailing from France's elite division. However, the initial stage featured a number of impressive wins from emerging challengers.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Go Back-to-Back
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in this tournament last season, dominating Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the final.
Lying sixth in the French league, doubts have been raised about their capacity to retain the feat now. But, in their opener, Bordeaux served notice that they are more than capable of winning back-to-back titles with a high-scoring win on the road in South Africa.
Given a difficult tie at a hostile venue against a powerful Bulls side boasting internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the break.
However, as champions do, they unleashed their power in the final 40 minutes, storming back to claim a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls scoreless after the halftime.
Les Bleus stars aces Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any team with that pair on the edges has a chance against any opponent.
Impressive Bath Look Capable of Challenging for the Title
Bath's only triumph in the Champions Cup was almost three decades ago. In the years since, they have probably never been better equipped to secure another title.
The current English champions are setting the pace at home after six games and will be aiming to transfer that success into the Champions Cup – on the back of a shocking early departure last year.
Johann van Graan's men looked a very complete and composed outfit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are among the leaders in the Celtic league.
They marry offensive flair – earning the try-scoring point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, holding their guests at a distance when they looked like mounting a late rally.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and a deep squad throughout the squad, they are surely serious contenders for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the group stage last season came in the second round, an heartbreaking 22-21 setback at Benetton with a squad players.
Now with a league trophy to their name and top in England once more, Van Graan may feel able to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Major Blow
You will find strong teams everywhere you look, but their section appears poised to be one of the tightest.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is emphasized regarding victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on Friday evening might just turn out to be vital.
The Glasgow Warriors were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries early in the second period gave them a all-important five points.
With this result, they handed their prospects of qualification a major lift and, in turn, handed a hefty blow to Sale.
With the red and blacks – commanding 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, in the same section, we should be in for many thrilling contests.
And regarding Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They produced one of their finest displays in Europe in a long time to stun former champions Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for Scottish rugby.
Could Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Jigsaw?
If there's one team you would fancy to be in the mix at the later stages of the continental campaign, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
However in recent seasons it hasn't gone to plan, as they have been favourites but fallen short. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites a year ago after backing up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was hoped that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to secure the title, but they were ambushed and endured a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This season they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a try assist on his first appearance 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 Appear Equipped to Compete
From the moment the SA franchises joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and in the last campaign not a single one succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with several weakened teams selected.
Could this be the season that is different? The Stormers are first in the URC and started their continental journey with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.
The words from players and coaches were positive too, with players and coaches talking about their ambition, and the caliber of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the opening victory.
The Stormers look the most likely contender for a SA franchise to progress far in the competition, although don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in their first games but did play Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Northampton and Pau Deliver a Classic Encounter
There were multiple possibilities for game of the weekend, and that clash was a leading candidate.
Pau have been having a brilliant campaign, guided by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker 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
