Following the initial matches of the 2025-26 Champions Cup wrapped up, we delve into the primary lessons highlighted by the games.
French dominance has been the narrative in recent seasons, with the last five champions all representing France's top flight. However, the initial stage included several convincing performances from potential contenders.
Bordeaux Look Set to Defend Their Title
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in this tournament the previous campaign, dominating Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the showpiece.
Positioned sixth in the French league, doubts have been raised about their chances of defending the title this season. But, in the first round, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are fully equipped of winning another trophy with a high-scoring away victory in South Africa.
Faced with a difficult tie at a hostile venue against a formidable Bulls side including internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the break.
However, true to their champion status, they unleashed their power in the second period, roaring back to secure a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls to zero after the halftime.
Les Bleus stars machines Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any outfit with those two on the edges has a chance against any opponent.
Impressive Bath Appear Equipped of A Deep Run
Bath's sole success in this competition was almost three decades ago. In the years since, they have perhaps not been more strongly positioned to add a second star.
The current English champions are top of the pile domestically after six games and will be hoping to translate that form into continental competition – particularly following a surprise group-stage exit the previous season.
Johann van Graan's men looked a very complete and polished team in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are third in the Celtic league.
They marry offensive flair – sealing the try-scoring point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, keeping their opponents at bay when they threatened a late rally.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and quality reserves all over the roster, they must be viewed as genuine challengers for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's key result in the pools a year ago came in the following week, an agonising 22-21 setback at Benetton with a rotated team.
After winning a league trophy to their name and top the home league, Van Graan might decide to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Significant Setback
There are quality outfits everywhere you look, but the first group seems destined to be one of the tightest.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is emphasized regarding winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the opening night might just turn out to be vital.
The team from Scotland were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a valuable five points.
With this result, they gave their prospects of qualification a significant early boost and, by contrast, handed a damaging defeat to the Sharks.
With the red and blacks – imperious 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, also in the pool, we should be in for many thrilling contests.
And what of Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They produced one of their top continental showings in recent memory to stun heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for the Scottish game.
Could Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Quest?
Should you pick one side you would predict to be in the mix at the business end of the continental campaign, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
But in recent campaigns it hasn't gone to plan, as they have been favourites but fallen short. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy 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 thought that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the key player to take them over the line, but they were caught out and endured a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi.
Now they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a try assist on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Look Prepared to Challenge
From the moment the SA franchises became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the last eight, and in the last campaign none of them managed to make it out of the pool phase, with plenty of weakened teams used.
Is this the year that changes? 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 positive too, with individuals involved expressing their ambition, and the likes of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the opening victory.
The Stormers appear the best bet for a team from South Africa to have a long run in the competition, although write off the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in the opening round but did meet the French powerhouses respectively.
Northampton and Pau Serve Up a Thrilling Contest
There were several candidates for game of the weekend, and this one was a leading candidate.
Pau have been having a superb campaign, led by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are presently in second place in the French league and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
