Now that the first round of the 2025-26 Champions Cup in the books, we delve into the key revelations emerging from the fixtures.
Gallic supremacy has ruled the roost in the past few campaigns, with the previous five victors all calling home France's top flight. But, the initial stage included a number of impressive wins from new contenders.
Bordeaux Look Set to Defend Their Title
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in the competition a year ago, dismantling Toulouse in the last four and subsequently Northampton in the showpiece.
Positioned sixth in the domestic standings, doubts have been raised about their ability to repeat the title now. However, in round one, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are more than capable of achieving consecutive championships with a high-scoring win on the road in South Africa.
Given a tough assignment at a hostile venue against a strong Bulls side boasting internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the interval.
However, demonstrating their pedigree, they showed their quality in the second period, storming back to claim a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls without a point after the interval.
France international phenoms Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any side with those two on the flanks stands a good chance against whoever they face.
Powerful Bath Look Capable of Going the Distance
Bath's sole success in Europe came almost a generation ago. In the years since, they have perhaps not been more strongly positioned to win it again.
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 – especially after a unexpected elimination the previous season.
Johann van Graan's side looked a highly composed and composed outfit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are among the leaders in the Celtic league.
They blend offensive flair – securing the bonus point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, keeping their guests at a distance when they attempted a late rally.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and quality reserves all over the squad, they must be viewed as genuine challengers for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's key result in the pools a year ago was in the following week, an heartbreaking 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a rotated team.
Having secured a domestic championship to their name and setting the pace the home league, Van Graan could be inclined to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Give Sale a Tough Start
The tournament contains quality outfits everywhere you look, but Pool One appears poised to be one of the tightest.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is emphasized regarding winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the opening night might just prove crucial.
The team from Scotland were two scores behind after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a all-important bonus-point win.
By achieving this, they gave their prospects of qualification a positive start and, conversely, dealt a significant setback to their opponents.
With the red and blacks – imperious 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, also in the pool, we should be in for high-stakes drama.
And what of Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They delivered one of their finest displays in Europe in recent memory to stun heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for the Scottish game.
Will Ioane Be the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Puzzle?
When considering a contender you would predict to be in the mix at the sharp end of the continental campaign, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
However in the last few years it has ended in disappointment, as they have been favourites but not won the trophy. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites the previous campaign after backing up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was hoped that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to win the championship, but they were caught out and endured a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the last four.
Now 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 victory against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Appear Equipped to Compete
Since the South African sides entered 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 succeeded in getting out of the group stage, with several weakened teams selected.
Could this be the season that turns around? The Stormers are top of the URC and started their continental journey with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were positive too, with the squad and staff expressing their ambition, and the likes of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the round-one win.
The Stormers appear the best bet for a SA franchise to go deep into the tournament, yet write off the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in the opening round but did play formidable opponents respectively.
The English and French Sides Produce a Classic Encounter
There were multiple possibilities for best fixture, and that clash was right up there.
Pau have been having a outstanding campaign, guided by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are presently in second place in the French league and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
