Now that the initial matches of the 2025-26 Champions Cup in the books, we explore the major talking points highlighted by the games.
Top 14 superiority has been the narrative in the past few campaigns, with the previous five victors all calling home France's elite division. However, the initial stage included several statement victories from new rivals.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Defend Their Title
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in Europe last season, dismantling Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the final.
Positioned sixth in the French league, doubts have been raised about their ability to repeat the title this season. Yet, in the first round, Bordeaux sent a message that they are well-positioned of achieving another trophy with a high-scoring win on the road in South Africa.
Given a difficult tie at the Bulls' fortress against a strong Bulls side featuring stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the break.
However, true to their champion status, they displayed their class in the second period, roaring back to secure a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls scoreless after the interval.
Les Bleus stars machines Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any team with that pair on the edges has a chance against any competition.
Impressive Bath Appear Equipped of A Deep Run
Bath's only triumph in Europe came almost a generation ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have arguably not been more prepared to add a second star.
The current English champions are leading the way at home after six games and will be looking to carry that momentum into Europe – on the back of a surprise group-stage exit the previous season.
Johann van Graan's side looked a extremely well-rounded and polished team in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are third in the URC.
They blend attacking verve – sealing the try-scoring point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, restraining their visitors at arm's length when they attempted a fightback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and quality reserves all over the roster, they are surely genuine challengers for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's key result in the pools the previous year occurred in the following week, an heartbreaking 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a rotated team.
After winning a Premiership title to their name and leading the home league, Van Graan might decide to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Give Sale a Major Blow
The tournament contains quality outfits everywhere you look, but Pool One looks set to be one of the most competitive.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is said about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the first day might just prove crucial.
The Glasgow Warriors were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a precious bonus-point win.
In doing so, they handed their hopes of advancing a significant early boost and, conversely, inflicted a damaging defeat to their opponents.
With Toulouse – dominant 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, sharing the group, we are likely to see many thrilling contests.
And regarding Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They turned in one of their top continental showings in a long time to surprise three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for Scottish rugby.
Is Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Jigsaw?
When considering a contender you would expect to be in the mix at the later stages of the continental campaign, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
But in the last few years it has ended in disappointment, as they have shown great potential but not won the trophy. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat last season after following up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was thought that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to win the championship, but they were caught out and suffered a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This year they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a try assist on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Look Equipped to Compete
Since the South African sides entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the quarter-finals, and the previous season none of them was able to progress out of the pool phase, with several weakened teams used.
Could this be the season that is different? The Stormers are leading the URC and kicked off their European campaign with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.
The reactions after the game were promising too, with players and coaches speaking of their goals, and the caliber of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the first match.
The Stormers seem the strongest candidate for a team from South Africa to have a long run in the tournament, although do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost this weekend but did meet the French powerhouses respectively.
Saints and Pau Deliver a Memorable Match
There were several candidates for best fixture, and this one was right up there.
Pau have been enjoying a outstanding season, led by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are right now second in the French championship and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's