Now that the opening salvo of the 2025-26 Champions Cup concluded, we explore the major talking points highlighted by the weekend's action.
French dominance has ruled the roost in recent seasons, with the last five champions all hailing from France's elite division. However, the initial stage featured multiple statement victories from potential challengers.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Defend Their Title
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in Europe a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the final.
Lying sixth in the Top 14, doubts have been raised about their ability to repeat the feat this season. However, in their opener, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are well-positioned of securing back-to-back titles with a high-scoring win on the road in South Africa.
Handed a tough assignment at a hostile venue against a strong Bulls side boasting talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the break.
But, as champions do, they showed their quality in the final 40 minutes, roaring back to secure a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls to zero after the break.
French try-scoring machines Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any outfit with that pair on the flanks is a threat against any competition.
Impressive Bath Look Capable of A Deep Run
Bath's sole success in this competition was almost 30 years ago. In the years since, they have perhaps not been better equipped to win it again.
The reigning domestic title-holders are setting the pace in the league after six games and will be looking to translate that form into Europe – particularly following a shocking early departure in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's men looked a extremely well-rounded and polished team in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are highly placed in the United Rugby Championship.
They blend creative spark – securing the try-scoring point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, keeping their visitors at bay when they looked like mounting a late rally.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and strength in depth across the team, they are surely genuine challengers for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's key result in the pools a year ago occurred in the following week, an narrow 22-21 setback at Benetton with a rotated team.
Now with a league trophy to their name and top domestically again, Van Graan might decide to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Significant Setback
The tournament contains quality outfits throughout the draw, but the first group appears poised to be one of the tightest.
In the existing pool system, a lot is emphasized regarding securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the opening night might just prove crucial.
The team from Scotland were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries during the beginning of the second period gave them a all-important maximum haul.
With this result, they handed their chances of progressing a major lift and, conversely, handed a significant setback to the Sharks.
With the French giants – imperious 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, also in the pool, we are likely to see high-stakes drama.
And as for Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They delivered one of their finest displays in Europe in years to surprise heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for the Scottish game.
Could Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Quest?
When considering a contender you would expect to be there or thereabouts at the later stages of the season in Europe, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
But in recent seasons it hasn't gone to plan, as they have shown great potential but fallen short. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat a year ago after following up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was thought that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to take them over the line, but they were ambushed and suffered a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the last four.
Now they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a key pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to secure European glory to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Seem Prepared to Challenge
From the moment the SA franchises entered 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 plenty of rotated sides selected.
Is this the year that changes? The Stormers are top of the URC and kicked off their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.
The reactions after the game were positive too, with individuals involved expressing their goals, and the players such as stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the first match.
The Stormers look the strongest candidate for a South African side to have a long run in the tournament, but don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in the opening round but did face formidable opponents respectively.
Northampton and Pau Serve Up a Memorable Match
There were a few contenders for game of the weekend, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was right up there.
Pau have been enjoying a superb season, 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 crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
