Following the first round of the 2025-26 Champions Cup concluded, we examine the primary lessons highlighted by the games.
Top 14 superiority has defined the competition in recent seasons, with the past five winners all calling home France's Top 14. But, the opening round showcased several impressive wins from emerging challengers.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Retain Their Crown
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in the competition the previous campaign, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the final.
Currently sitting sixth in the French league, some have suggested about their capacity to retain the accomplishment this season. But, in round one, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are fully equipped of achieving another trophy with a high-scoring away victory in South Africa.
Handed a difficult tie at Loftus Versfeld against a formidable Bulls side boasting stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at half-time.
However, as champions do, they showed their quality in the second half, roaring back to seal a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls to zero after the interval.
France international phenoms Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any outfit with that pair on the edges is a threat against whoever they face.
Impressive Bath Appear Equipped of Going the Distance
Bath's sole success in the Champions Cup came almost a generation ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have arguably not been better equipped to win it again.
The current English champions are setting the pace in the league after six games and will be looking to carry that momentum into continental competition – on the back of a shocking early departure in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's men looked a very complete and balanced unit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are among the leaders in the Celtic league.
They combine creative spark – earning the try-scoring point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, holding their opponents at arm's length when they looked like mounting a late rally.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and strength in depth throughout the roster, they are surely genuine challengers for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the initial phase the previous year occurred in the second round, an agonising 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a rotated team.
After winning a league trophy to their name and top in England once more, Van Graan could be inclined to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Significant Setback
The tournament contains strong teams everywhere you look, but their section appears poised to be one of the tightest.
In the existing pool system, a lot is made about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on Friday evening might just prove crucial.
The Glasgow Warriors were two scores behind after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a precious maximum haul.
By achieving this, they handed their hopes of advancing a positive start and, by contrast, handed a significant setback to the Sharks.
With the French giants – dominant 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, in the same section, we can expect many thrilling contests.
And regarding Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They delivered one of their finest displays in Europe in recent memory to shock heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for the Scottish game.
Will Ioane Be the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Jigsaw?
When considering a contender you would fancy to be in the mix at the business end of the Champions Cup, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
Yet in recent seasons it hasn't gone to plan, as they have been favourites but not won the trophy. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites a year ago after backing up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was thought that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to take them over the line, but they were ambushed and endured a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi.
Now they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a try assist on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Look 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 last year none of them was able to progress out of the pool phase, with plenty of rotated sides fielded.
Will this be the campaign that changes? The Stormers are first in the URC and began their continental journey with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.
The words from players and coaches were encouraging too, with individuals involved speaking of their aspirations, and the caliber of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the first match.
The Stormers look the best bet for a South African side to go deep into the competition, although don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in the opening round but did meet formidable opponents respectively.
Northampton and Pau Serve Up a Memorable Match
There were a few contenders for match of the round, and that clash was right up there.
Pau have been having a brilliant campaign, guided by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are currently in second place in the French championship and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
