With the first round of the 2025-26 Champions Cup wrapped up, we delve into the major talking points stemming from the fixtures.
Gallic supremacy has been the narrative in the past few campaigns, with the last five champions all calling home France's Top 14. However, the opening round showcased multiple convincing performances from new contenders.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Retain Their Crown
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in Europe a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and subsequently Northampton in the grand finale.
Currently sitting sixth in the domestic standings, some have suggested about their ability to repeat the accomplishment this year. Yet, in the first round, Bordeaux served notice that they are well-positioned of securing back-to-back titles with a points-laden away victory in South Africa.
Faced with a challenging fixture at the Bulls' fortress against a formidable Bulls side including stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at half-time.
But, as champions do, they showed their quality in the final 40 minutes, fighting back to claim a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls without a point after the interval.
French try-scoring phenoms Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any side with that pair on the wings stands a good chance against any competition.
Impressive Bath Look Capable of A Deep Run
Bath's only triumph in Europe dates back almost 30 years ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have arguably not been more prepared to win it again.
The defending English Premiership champions are setting the pace in the league after six games and will be aiming to translate that form into the Champions Cup – especially after a surprise group-stage exit in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's team looked a very complete and composed outfit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are highly placed in the Celtic league.
They marry attacking verve – securing the extra point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, restraining their visitors at a distance when they attempted a dramatic comeback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and strength in depth throughout the team, they are surely genuine challengers for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's key result in the initial phase the previous year was in the next fixture, an agonising 22-21 loss at Benetton with a squad players.
Now with a league trophy under their belt and setting the pace the home league, Van Graan could be inclined to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Significant Setback
There are strong teams everywhere you look, but their section appears poised to be one of the most competitive.
In the existing pool system, a lot is made about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the opening night might just turn out to be vital.
The Glasgow Warriors were two scores behind after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries early in the second half gave them a precious maximum haul.
In doing so, they provided their hopes of advancing a significant early boost and, conversely, inflicted a hefty blow to their opponents.
With Toulouse – imperious 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame 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 recent memory to shock heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Could Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Puzzle?
Should you pick one side you would fancy to be challenging at the later stages of the season in Europe, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
But in the last few years it hasn't gone to plan, as they have promised much but delivered little. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites last season after following up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 destruction 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 experienced a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi.
Now they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a key pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Prepared to Challenge
Ever since the teams from South Africa joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the quarter-finals, and the previous season not a single one succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with plenty of squads not at full strength fielded.
Could this be the season that is different? The Stormers are leading the URC and began their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on the opening night.
The reactions after the game were encouraging too, with individuals involved expressing their goals, and the players such as Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the opening victory.
The Stormers appear the most likely contender for a team from South Africa to go deep into the event, although write off the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in their first games but did meet formidable opponents respectively.
Northampton and Pau Serve Up a Thrilling Contest
There were several candidates for best fixture, and that clash was right up there.
Pau have been enjoying a outstanding season, spearheaded by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are right now runner-up in the French league and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
