Now that the initial matches of the 2025-26 Champions Cup concluded, we delve into the major talking points highlighted by the fixtures.
Gallic supremacy has ruled the roost in the past few campaigns, with the last five champions all hailing from France's Top 14. However, the initial stage showcased several convincing performances from potential rivals.
Bordeaux Look Set to Retain Their Crown
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were imperious in this tournament a year ago, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the final.
Currently sitting sixth in the Top 14, questions have been asked about their ability to repeat the title this season. However, in round one, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are well-positioned of winning another trophy with a high-scoring away victory in South Africa.
Given a difficult tie at a hostile venue against a formidable Bulls side including internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the break.
However, as champions do, they unleashed their power in the second period, fighting back to secure a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls to zero after the break.
France international phenoms Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any side with those two on the edges is a threat against any opponent.
Powerful Bath Look Capable of Challenging for the Title
Bath's lone victory in this competition dates back almost a generation ago. Since that time, they have perhaps not been more strongly positioned to win it again.
The reigning domestic title-holders are top of the pile domestically after six games and will be looking to carry that momentum into the Champions Cup – especially after a shocking early departure in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's side looked a very complete and polished team in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are highly placed in the Celtic league.
They blend offensive flair – sealing the bonus point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, holding their visitors at a distance when they threatened a dramatic comeback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and quality reserves throughout the roster, they must be viewed as credible threats for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's key result in the group stage last season was in the following week, an agonising 22-21 loss at Benetton with a changed side.
Now with a Premiership title to their name and setting the pace in England once more, Van Graan may feel able to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Give Sale a Significant Setback
You will find powerful sides everywhere you look, but the first group appears poised to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is made about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the first day might just be pivotal.
The team from Scotland were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a precious five points.
By achieving this, they provided their prospects of qualification a major lift and, conversely, handed a significant setback to the Sharks.
With the red and blacks – dominant 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, also in the pool, we should be in for plenty of fireworks.
And what of Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They turned in one of their top continental showings in years to stun former champions Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for the Scottish game.
Is Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Puzzle?
If there's one team you would fancy to be challenging at the sharp end of the season in Europe, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
Yet in the last few years it has not worked out, as they have been favourites but delivered little. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat a year ago after backing up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was believed that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to win the championship, but they were surprised and experienced 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 claimed a scoring pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Look Ready to Step Up
Since the South African sides became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and the previous season no South African side managed to make it out of the pool phase, with often rotated sides used.
Could this be the season that is different? The Stormers are first in the URC and kicked off their European campaign with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.
The words from players and coaches were encouraging too, with players and coaches talking about their ambition, and the players such as Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the first match.
The Stormers appear the strongest candidate for a team from South Africa to progress far in the competition, although do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in the opening round but did face Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
The English and French Sides Serve Up a Classic Encounter
There were multiple possibilities for game of the weekend, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was right up there.
Pau have been having a outstanding campaign, guided by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are right now second in the French championship and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
