Following the initial matches of the 2025-26 Champions Cup wrapped up, we explore the major talking points emerging from the games.
French dominance has ruled the roost in the past few campaigns, with the past five winners all calling home France's top flight. However, the initial stage showcased multiple statement victories from emerging contenders.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Defend Their Title
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in this tournament the previous campaign, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the grand finale.
Positioned sixth in the Top 14, questions have been asked about their ability to repeat the feat this year. However, in the first round, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are fully equipped of securing consecutive championships with a free-flowing win on the road in South Africa.
Given a difficult tie at Loftus Versfeld against a strong Bulls side featuring internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the interval.
But, as champions do, they displayed their class in the final 40 minutes, fighting back to seal a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls without a point after the interval.
France international aces Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any team with those two on the flanks is a threat against any opponent.
Impressive Bath Appear Equipped of Going the Distance
Bath's sole success in Europe dates back almost three decades ago. In the years since, they have probably never been more strongly positioned to win it again.
The current English champions are setting the pace domestically after six games and will be aiming to transfer that success into Europe – especially after a shocking early departure the previous season.
Johann van Graan's team looked a very complete and balanced unit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are third in the United Rugby Championship.
They blend offensive flair – sealing the extra point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, keeping their guests at a distance when they threatened a fightback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and quality reserves all over the roster, they have to be considered credible threats for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's key result in the pools the previous year came in the next fixture, an narrow 22-21 setback at Benetton with a rotated team.
Having secured a domestic championship to their name and top domestically again, Van Graan might decide to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Major Blow
You will find quality outfits throughout the draw, but Pool One seems destined to be one of the tightest.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is made about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the opening night might just prove crucial.
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 valuable maximum haul.
By achieving this, they provided their chances of progressing a positive start and, by contrast, inflicted a significant setback to the Sharks.
With Toulouse – commanding 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, sharing the group, we should be in for many thrilling contests.
And as for Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They produced one of their top continental showings in recent memory to stun heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for Scottish rugby.
Could Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Jigsaw?
If there's one team you would expect to be challenging at the sharp end of the season in Europe, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
Yet in the last few years it has ended in disappointment, as they have promised much but not won the trophy. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat last season after following up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 demolition 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 ambushed and suffered a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This season 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 victory against Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to return the cup to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Appear Ready to Step Up
Ever since the teams from South Africa joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and the previous season none of them succeeded in getting out of the group stage, with plenty of weakened teams used.
Will this be the campaign that changes? The Stormers are top of the URC and started their continental journey with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were promising too, with players and coaches speaking of their aspirations, and the players such as South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the opening victory.
The Stormers look the best bet for a team from South Africa to progress far in the tournament, but don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in their first games but did face formidable opponents respectively.
Northampton and Pau Produce a Memorable Match
There were multiple possibilities for game of the weekend, and that clash was right up there.
Pau have been having a outstanding season, guided by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are right now second in the Top 14 and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
