Now that the opening salvo of the 2025-26 Champions Cup wrapped up, we examine the major talking points emerging from the fixtures.
Gallic supremacy has been the narrative in recent years, with the last five champions all calling home France's elite division. Yet, the first weekend showcased multiple impressive wins from potential challengers.
Bordeaux Look Set to Defend Their Title
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in the competition last season, dismantling Toulouse in the last four and subsequently Northampton in the grand finale.
Positioned sixth in the Top 14, some have suggested about their ability to repeat the feat this year. But, in the first round, Bordeaux sent a message that they are fully equipped of securing consecutive championships with a high-scoring win on the road in South Africa.
Faced with a challenging fixture at a hostile venue against a strong Bulls side boasting talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the break.
But, as champions do, they showed their quality in the second period, fighting back to seal a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls scoreless after the halftime.
French try-scoring machines Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any team with those two on the wings is a threat against any competition.
Powerful Bath Appear Equipped of Challenging for the Title
Bath's sole success in the Champions Cup came almost 30 years ago. Since that time, they have perhaps not been better equipped to secure another title.
The defending English Premiership champions are top of the pile at home after six games and will be aiming to carry that momentum into the Champions Cup – on the back of a surprise group-stage exit in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's men looked a highly composed and polished team in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are third in the Celtic league.
They marry offensive flair – securing the try-scoring point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, restraining their opponents at a distance when they attempted a late rally.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and a deep squad across the roster, they have to be considered credible threats for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the group stage the previous year occurred in the following week, an agonising 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a squad players.
Now with a domestic championship under their belt and top domestically again, Van Graan might decide to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Give Sale a Tough Start
There are quality outfits in every pool, but their section seems destined to be one of the most competitive.
In the existing pool system, a lot is made about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the first day might just be pivotal.
The Scottish side were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a precious five points.
With this result, they gave their hopes of advancing a significant early boost and, conversely, dealt a damaging defeat to their opponents.
With the French giants – commanding 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, sharing the group, we should be in for plenty of fireworks.
And regarding Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They turned in one of their top continental showings in a long time to shock three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Will Ioane Be the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Puzzle?
Should you pick one side you would predict to be there or thereabouts at the business end of the Champions Cup, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
But in the last few years it hasn't gone to plan, as they have shown great potential but fallen short. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites a year ago after building on a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was thought that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to win the championship, but they were ambushed and suffered a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi.
Now they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a try assist on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Appear Prepared to Challenge
Since the South African sides became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the last eight, and in the last campaign no South African side managed to make it out of the group stage, with plenty of weakened teams used.
Is this the year that changes? The Stormers are top of the URC and started their continental journey with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were promising too, with individuals involved expressing their goals, and the likes of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the opening victory.
The Stormers appear the strongest candidate for a SA franchise to have a long run in the event, although write off the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in the opening round but did face the French powerhouses respectively.
Saints and Pau Deliver a Thrilling Contest
There were multiple possibilities for best fixture, and this one was right up there.
Pau have been enjoying a brilliant season, guided by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are presently in second place in the French championship and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
