Now that the opening salvo of the 2025-26 Champions Cup in the books, we delve into the primary lessons emerging from the weekend's action.
French dominance has ruled the roost in recent seasons, with the last five champions all representing France's top flight. But, the first weekend featured multiple convincing performances from emerging rivals.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Retain Their Crown
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in this tournament a year ago, dominating Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the grand finale.
Currently sitting sixth in the French league, questions have been asked about their capacity to retain the feat this year. But, in round one, Bordeaux sent a message that they are more than capable of winning consecutive championships with a free-flowing away victory in South Africa.
Handed a tough assignment at Loftus Versfeld against a formidable Bulls side featuring stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at half-time.
However, as champions do, they displayed their class in the final 40 minutes, fighting back to claim a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls to zero after the break.
France international aces Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any outfit with that pair on the edges is a threat against any competition.
Impressive Bath Appear Equipped of Challenging for the Title
Bath's only triumph in this competition dates back almost three decades ago. In the years since, they have perhaps not been more prepared to win it again.
The reigning domestic title-holders are leading the way domestically after six games and will be aiming to carry that momentum into the Champions Cup – particularly following a surprise group-stage exit in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's men looked a extremely well-rounded and polished team in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are third in the URC.
They blend creative spark – earning the extra point in under 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 pulling the strings and strength in depth across the squad, they are surely genuine challengers for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's key result in the pools the previous year occurred in the second round, an heartbreaking 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a changed side.
After winning a domestic championship under their belt and top in England once more, Van Graan might decide to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Tough Start
There are powerful sides throughout the draw, but their section seems destined to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is said about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on Friday evening might just be pivotal.
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 valuable bonus-point win.
By achieving this, they gave their hopes of advancing a positive start and, conversely, dealt a hefty blow to Sale.
With the red and blacks – imperious 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, also in the pool, we can expect high-stakes drama.
And what of Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They turned in one of their best European performances in recent memory to surprise heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for the Scottish game.
Could Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Quest?
When considering a contender you would predict to be challenging at the later stages of the Champions Cup, it would be European giants Leinster.
Yet in the last few years it hasn't gone to plan, as they have been favourites but not won the trophy. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites last season after building on a 62-0 thrashing 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 missing ingredient to win the championship, but they were ambushed and experienced a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This season they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a try assist on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Appear Prepared to Challenge
Since the South African sides joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the quarter-finals, and the previous season none of them managed to make it out of the pool phase, with often rotated sides fielded.
Could this be the season that changes? The Stormers are leading the URC and started their European campaign with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on Friday.
The reactions after the game were encouraging too, with players and coaches talking about their ambition, and the caliber of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the opening victory.
The Stormers look the most likely contender for a team from South Africa to have a long run in the competition, yet do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in the opening round but did play Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Northampton and Pau Produce a Classic Encounter
There were a few contenders for match of the round, and that clash was right up there.
Pau have been experiencing a superb campaign, spearheaded by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are right now runner-up in the French league and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
