With the first round of the 2025-26 Champions Cup in the books, we delve into the primary lessons highlighted by the games.
Top 14 superiority has ruled the roost in recent seasons, with the past five winners all calling home France's elite division. However, the initial stage showcased a number of convincing performances from new contenders.
Bordeaux Look Set to Defend Their Title
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were imperious in the competition the previous campaign, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the showpiece.
Currently sitting sixth in the French league, doubts have been raised about their capacity to retain the accomplishment now. But, in their opener, Bordeaux served notice that they are fully equipped of winning another trophy with a high-scoring away victory in South Africa.
Given a challenging fixture at the Bulls' fortress against a formidable Bulls side boasting internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the break.
But, as champions do, they displayed their class in the second period, roaring back to secure a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls scoreless after the break.
Les Bleus stars aces Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. 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 lone victory in Europe dates back almost 30 years ago. In the years since, they have probably never been better equipped to add a second star.
The current English champions are top of the pile in the league after six games and will be aiming to transfer that success into Europe – particularly following a unexpected elimination in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's team looked a highly composed and composed outfit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are highly placed in the URC.
They marry creative spark – sealing the bonus point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, holding their visitors at bay when they attempted a fightback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and a deep squad all over the roster, they have to be considered credible threats for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the pools the previous year came in the next fixture, an narrow 22-21 loss at Benetton with a squad players.
Having secured a league trophy to their name and top the home league, Van Graan could be inclined to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Significant Setback
There are strong teams everywhere you look, but Pool One looks set to be one of the tightest.
In the existing pool system, a lot is said about securing home wins, 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 Scottish side were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a precious maximum haul.
In doing so, they provided their hopes of advancing a major lift and, conversely, inflicted a hefty blow to the Sharks.
With the French giants – imperious 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, also in the pool, we can expect many thrilling contests.
And as for Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They produced one of their best European performances in years to shock heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for the Scottish game.
Will Ioane Be the Key Addition of the Leinster Puzzle?
When considering a contender you would predict to be there or thereabouts at the sharp end of the season in Europe, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
Yet in recent campaigns it has ended in disappointment, as they have been favourites but delivered little. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites a year ago after following up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was believed that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to take them over the line, but they were caught out and suffered a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This year they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a key pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Equipped to Compete
Since the South African sides became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the last eight, and last year none of them managed to make it out of the pool phase, with several squads not at full strength fielded.
Will this be the campaign that is different? The Stormers are leading the URC and began their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.
The reactions after the game were encouraging too, with players and coaches talking about their goals, and the caliber of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the first match.
The Stormers seem the strongest candidate for a South African side to progress far in the tournament, but write off the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in the opening round but did face Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Saints and Pau Produce a Thrilling Contest
There were a few contenders for match of the round, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was among the best.
Pau have been experiencing a superb season, guided by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are currently second in the French championship and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
