Now that the initial matches of the 2025-26 Champions Cup in the books, we examine the key revelations emerging from the games.
Top 14 superiority has been the narrative in recent years, with the last five champions all representing France's elite division. But, the initial stage showcased multiple impressive wins from emerging rivals.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Defend Their Title
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in Europe last season, dismantling Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the grand finale.
Positioned sixth in the French league, some have suggested about their capacity to retain the feat this year. But, in their opener, Bordeaux served notice that they are more than capable of securing another trophy with a points-laden away victory in South Africa.
Handed a tough assignment at Loftus Versfeld against a formidable Bulls side featuring internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the interval.
But, as champions do, they showed their quality in the second period, storming back to secure a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls to zero after the halftime.
Les Bleus stars aces Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any outfit with that pair on the flanks has a chance against whoever they face.
Powerful Bath Appear Equipped of Challenging for the Title
Bath's only triumph in the Champions Cup dates back almost a generation ago. Since that time, they have arguably not been better equipped to win it again.
The reigning domestic title-holders are top of the pile at home after six games and will be aiming to transfer that success into Europe – on the back of a surprise group-stage exit the previous season.
Johann van Graan's men looked a very complete and polished team in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are highly placed in the United Rugby Championship.
They blend attacking verve – sealing the bonus point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, keeping their guests at a distance when they looked like mounting a fightback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and quality reserves all over the team, they have to be considered credible threats for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's key result in the initial phase a year ago was in the second round, an narrow 22-21 loss at Benetton with a squad players.
Having secured a league trophy in their history and leading in England once more, Van Graan may feel able to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Major Blow
There are strong teams everywhere you look, but their section appears poised to be one of the most competitive.
In the existing pool system, 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 prove crucial.
The Glasgow Warriors were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a valuable bonus-point win.
By achieving this, they provided their prospects of qualification a positive start and, by contrast, handed a hefty blow to Sale.
With the red and blacks – commanding 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, sharing the group, we should be in for plenty of fireworks.
And regarding Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They produced one of their best European performances in years to surprise former champions Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for the Scottish game.
Is Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Jigsaw?
If there's one team you would fancy to be in the mix at the business end of the season in Europe, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
However in recent campaigns it has ended in disappointment, as they have shown great potential but not won the trophy. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat last season after building on a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was believed that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the key player to win the championship, but they were caught out and experienced a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the last four.
Now they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a key pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Look Equipped to Compete
Since the South African sides became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the last eight, and the previous season none of them managed to make it out of the pool phase, with plenty of rotated sides used.
Is this the year that changes? The Stormers are first in the URC and kicked off their European campaign with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were promising too, with players and coaches expressing their aspirations, and the players such as South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the round-one win.
The Stormers appear the most likely contender for a SA franchise to progress far in the competition, yet write off the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in their first games but did play Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Saints and Pau Deliver a Memorable Match
There were a few contenders for game of the weekend, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was right up there.
Pau have been experiencing a brilliant season, led by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are currently runner-up in the Top 14 and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
