Now that the initial matches of the 2025-26 Champions Cup concluded, we examine the major talking points stemming from the fixtures.
Top 14 superiority has defined the competition in the past few campaigns, with the last five champions all representing France's top flight. However, the initial stage showcased several statement victories from new contenders.
Bordeaux Look Set to Retain Their Crown
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were imperious in this tournament last season, dominating Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the showpiece.
Lying sixth in the domestic standings, some have suggested about their capacity to retain the title this season. But, in round one, Bordeaux served notice that they are fully equipped of securing another trophy with a free-flowing win on the road in South Africa.
Handed a tough assignment at the Bulls' fortress against a powerful Bulls side boasting stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the interval.
Yet, true to their champion status, they displayed their class in the second period, fighting back to seal a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls to zero after the break.
France international machines Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any side with that pair on the wings has a chance against whoever they face.
Formidable Bath Appear Equipped of Going the Distance
Bath's lone victory in the Champions Cup was almost 30 years ago. Since that time, they have arguably not been more prepared to add a second star.
The defending English Premiership champions are setting the pace at home after six games and will be aiming to transfer that success into continental competition – particularly following a surprise group-stage exit last year.
Johann van Graan's men looked a very complete and balanced unit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are highly placed in the URC.
They blend attacking verve – sealing the extra point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, keeping their visitors at bay when they attempted a dramatic comeback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and a deep squad throughout the team, they must be viewed as genuine challengers for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's key result in the pools the previous year occurred in the second round, an heartbreaking 22-21 setback at Benetton with a changed side.
After winning a Premiership title to their name and leading domestically again, Van Graan could be inclined to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Significant Setback
You will find powerful sides throughout the draw, but their section seems destined to be one of the most competitive.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is said about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on Friday evening might just be pivotal.
The Glasgow Warriors were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries early in the second period gave them a valuable five points.
By achieving this, they gave their chances of progressing a significant early boost and, by contrast, handed a hefty blow to their opponents.
With the French giants – imperious 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, sharing the group, we are likely to see high-stakes drama.
And regarding Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They delivered one of their best European performances in a long time to shock heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for the Scottish game.
Is Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Puzzle?
Should you pick one side you would predict to be there or thereabouts 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 fallen short. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites the previous campaign after building on a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was thought that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the key player to take them over the line, but they were caught out and suffered a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This year they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a scoring pass on his debut 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 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 in the last campaign not a single one succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with several rotated sides selected.
Could this be the season that is different? The Stormers are leading the URC and kicked off their European campaign with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.
The reactions after the game were promising too, with the squad and staff expressing their aspirations, and the players such as stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the opening victory.
The Stormers seem the most likely contender for a SA franchise to have a long run in the tournament, yet don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in their first games but did play formidable opponents respectively.
Northampton and Pau Deliver a Thrilling Contest
There were multiple possibilities for best fixture, and that clash was right up there.
Pau have been having a brilliant season, guided by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are presently second in the French league and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
