Following the initial matches of the 2025-26 Champions Cup concluded, we explore the primary lessons emerging from the fixtures.
Top 14 superiority has ruled the roost in recent years, with the past five winners all representing France's Top 14. But, the first weekend showcased several statement victories from potential challengers.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Retain Their Crown
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in Europe last season, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and subsequently Northampton in the showpiece.
Positioned sixth in the French league, doubts have been raised about their ability to repeat the feat this season. But, in round one, Bordeaux served notice that they are more than capable of winning back-to-back titles with a high-scoring win on the road in South Africa.
Given a tough assignment at Loftus Versfeld against a strong Bulls side including internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the interval.
Yet, true to their champion status, they displayed their class in the second half, fighting back to secure a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls to zero after the interval.
Les Bleus stars machines Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any team with those two on the edges has a chance against any opponent.
Powerful Bath Seem Poised of A Deep Run
Bath's sole success in the Champions Cup was almost three decades ago. In the years since, they have perhaps not been more prepared to secure another title.
The current English champions are leading the way domestically after six games and will be aiming to carry that momentum into continental competition – particularly following a surprise group-stage exit in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's team looked a extremely well-rounded and polished team in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are third in the United Rugby Championship.
They combine creative spark – earning the try-scoring point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, restraining their visitors at bay when they threatened a late rally.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and a deep squad across the squad, they are surely credible threats for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the pools last season occurred in the following week, an narrow 22-21 setback at Benetton with a changed side.
Now with a domestic championship under their belt and setting the pace the home league, Van Graan might decide to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Significant Setback
The tournament contains quality outfits throughout the draw, but Pool One appears poised to be one of the most competitive.
In the existing pool system, a lot is said about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the opening night might just prove crucial.
The Glasgow Warriors were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries early in the second period gave them a precious maximum haul.
With this result, they gave their prospects of qualification a positive start and, by contrast, inflicted a hefty blow to the Sharks.
With the French giants – imperious 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, sharing the group, we should be in for plenty of fireworks.
And as for Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They turned in one of their best European performances in years to surprise heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for Scottish rugby.
Is Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Quest?
If there's one team you would predict to be challenging at the sharp end of the season in Europe, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
But in recent campaigns 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 heavy favourites last season after following up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was hoped that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to secure the title, but they were ambushed and experienced a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
Now they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a try assist on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Prepared to Challenge
Ever since the teams from South Africa became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the quarter-finals, and the previous season not a single one managed to make it out of the pool phase, with several rotated sides fielded.
Could this be the season that changes? The Stormers are top of the URC and started their European campaign with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were encouraging too, with the squad and staff expressing their aspirations, and the likes of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the opening victory.
The Stormers seem the strongest candidate for a South African side to progress far in the event, although do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in their first games but did meet formidable opponents respectively.
Saints and Pau Serve Up a Memorable Match
There were a few contenders for best fixture, and that clash was right up there.
Pau have been enjoying 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 crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
