With the first round of the 2025-26 Champions Cup concluded, we explore the primary lessons highlighted by the games.
French dominance has defined the competition in recent seasons, with the last five champions all representing France's elite division. However, the initial stage included multiple statement victories from new contenders.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Retain Their Crown
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in this tournament a year ago, dominating Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the showpiece.
Currently sitting sixth in the domestic standings, doubts have been raised about their capacity to retain the title now. However, in their opener, Bordeaux served notice that they are more than capable of winning back-to-back titles with a free-flowing win on the road in South Africa.
Handed 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 interval.
Yet, true to their champion status, they showed their quality in the final 40 minutes, storming back to seal a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls scoreless after the break.
French try-scoring phenoms Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any side with such firepower on the edges stands a good chance against whoever they face.
Impressive Bath Seem Poised of A Deep Run
Bath's lone victory in Europe dates back almost a generation ago. Since that time, they have perhaps not been better equipped to add a second star.
The defending English Premiership champions are setting the pace at home after six games and will be aiming to translate that form into continental competition – especially after a surprise group-stage exit last year.
Johann van Graan's team looked a highly composed and composed outfit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are among the leaders in the URC.
They blend attacking verve – sealing the bonus point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, keeping their guests at arm's length when they threatened a dramatic comeback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and quality reserves throughout the squad, they have to be considered credible threats for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's key result in the group stage the previous year was in the next fixture, an narrow 22-21 loss at Benetton with a changed side.
Having secured a Premiership title in their history and setting the pace in England once more, Van Graan may feel able to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Significant Setback
There are strong teams in every pool, but their section appears poised 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 away victory at Sale on the first day might just prove crucial.
The team from Scotland were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries early in the second period gave them a precious bonus-point win.
With this result, they provided their hopes of advancing a significant early boost and, in turn, dealt a damaging defeat to their opponents.
With the red and blacks – dominant 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, sharing the group, we are likely to see plenty of fireworks.
And as for Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They delivered one of their finest displays in Europe in years to stun three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a successful 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 later stages of the Champions Cup, it would be European giants Leinster.
But in the last few years it has ended in disappointment, as they have been favourites but not won the trophy. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites a year ago after following up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was believed that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to secure the title, but they were caught out and suffered a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This season they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a try assist on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Look Ready to Step Up
From the moment the SA franchises became part of 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 group stage, with plenty of weakened teams selected.
Is this the year that changes? The Stormers are top of the URC and began their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were encouraging too, with individuals involved speaking of their goals, and the likes of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the opening victory.
The Stormers seem the most likely contender for a team from South Africa to progress far in the event, although write off the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat this weekend but did face formidable opponents respectively.
Saints and Pau Deliver a Memorable Match
There were several candidates for game of the weekend, and this one was a leading candidate.
Pau have been having a superb season, spearheaded by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are currently in second place in the Top 14 and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
