Now that the initial matches of the 2025-26 Champions Cup wrapped up, we explore the primary lessons highlighted by the weekend's action.
French dominance has ruled the roost in the past few campaigns, with the last five champions all hailing from France's elite division. Yet, the first weekend included a number of statement victories from potential rivals.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Retain Their Crown
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were imperious in Europe a year ago, dismantling Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the final.
Positioned sixth in the French league, questions have been asked about their ability to repeat the title this year. Yet, in their opener, Bordeaux served notice that they are well-positioned of winning consecutive championships with a high-scoring win on the road in South Africa.
Handed a challenging fixture at the Bulls' fortress against a powerful Bulls side including internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the break.
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 without a point after the halftime.
Les Bleus stars phenoms Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any side with those two on the wings has a chance against any competition.
Powerful Bath Look Capable of Challenging for the Title
Bath's lone victory in Europe came almost 30 years ago. Since that time, they have perhaps not been more prepared to win it again.
The current English champions are setting the pace at home after six games and will be looking to carry that momentum into Europe – on the back of a unexpected elimination last year.
Johann van Graan's men looked a highly composed and polished team in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are third in the United Rugby Championship.
They combine offensive flair – sealing the try-scoring point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, holding their visitors at a distance when they looked like mounting a late rally.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and quality reserves across the team, they have to be considered genuine challengers for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the group stage last season occurred in the next fixture, an agonising 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a squad players.
Now with a Premiership title to their name and leading the home league, Van Graan may feel able to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Significant Setback
You will find quality outfits in every pool, but their section seems destined to be one of the most competitive.
In the competition's present structure, 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 turn out to be vital.
The Glasgow Warriors were two scores behind after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries early in the second period gave them a valuable five points.
With this result, they handed their prospects of qualification a significant early boost and, in turn, inflicted a damaging defeat to their opponents.
With Toulouse – dominant 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, in the same section, we should be in for high-stakes drama.
And as for Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They turned in one of their finest displays in Europe in years to stun three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Will Ioane Be the Key Addition of the Leinster Jigsaw?
Should you pick one side you would expect to be challenging at the later stages of the Champions Cup, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
Yet in recent seasons it hasn't gone to plan, as they have been favourites but not won the trophy. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites a year ago 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 New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the key player to take them over the line, but they were caught out and experienced a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This season they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a scoring pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Prepared to Challenge
From the moment the SA franchises joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the last eight, and in the last campaign none of them managed to make it out of the group stage, with several rotated sides fielded.
Could this be the season that turns around? The Stormers are leading the URC and kicked off their continental journey with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.
The reactions after the game were encouraging too, with players and coaches speaking of their ambition, and the players such as stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the opening victory.
The Stormers appear the strongest candidate for a team from South Africa to progress far in the tournament, yet don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in their first games but did play Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Northampton and Pau Serve Up a Memorable Match
There were several candidates for best fixture, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was among the best.
Pau have been experiencing a outstanding season, spearheaded by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are presently second in the French championship and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
