Now that the first round of the 2025-26 Champions Cup in the books, we delve into the major talking points emerging from the fixtures.
Gallic supremacy has ruled the roost in recent years, with the past five winners all calling home France's top flight. However, the initial stage included a number of convincing performances from new rivals.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Go Back-to-Back
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in the competition a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the showpiece.
Positioned sixth in the French league, some have suggested about their ability to repeat the accomplishment this season. But, in the first round, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are fully equipped of achieving another trophy with a high-scoring away victory in South Africa.
Faced with a challenging fixture at a hostile venue against a powerful Bulls side featuring stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the break.
But, as champions do, they showed their quality in the second period, fighting back to claim a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls scoreless after the interval.
France international phenoms Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any team with such firepower on the edges is a threat against any opponent.
Powerful Bath Look Capable of Going the Distance
Bath's sole success in the Champions Cup came almost a generation ago. In the years since, they have perhaps not been more prepared to win it again.
The current English champions are leading the way domestically after six games and will be looking to carry that momentum into the Champions Cup – especially after a shocking early departure last year.
Johann van Graan's men looked a extremely well-rounded and balanced unit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are among the leaders in the Celtic league.
They combine attacking verve – earning the extra point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, restraining their opponents at bay when they looked like mounting a fightback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and strength in depth across the roster, 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 came in the following week, an narrow 22-21 loss at Benetton with a rotated team.
Now with a Premiership title in their history and setting the pace in England once more, Van Graan may feel able to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Major Blow
There are quality outfits everywhere you look, but their section appears poised to be one of the tightest.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is emphasized regarding securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on Friday evening might just turn out to be vital.
The Scottish side were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries early in the second period gave them a precious five points.
By achieving this, they gave their prospects of qualification a significant early boost and, in turn, dealt a significant setback to the Sharks.
With the red and blacks – imperious 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, also in the pool, we can expect many thrilling contests.
And regarding Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They produced one of their finest displays in Europe in recent memory to shock former champions Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for Scottish rugby.
Will Ioane Be the Key Addition of the Leinster Quest?
Should you pick one side you would predict to be challenging at the sharp end of the season in Europe, it would be European giants Leinster.
Yet in recent campaigns it has ended in disappointment, as they have promised much but fallen short. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites the previous campaign after backing up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was thought that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the key player to win the championship, but they were surprised and suffered a shock loss 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 scoring pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to return the cup to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Seem Equipped to Compete
From the moment the SA franchises became part of 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 group stage, with several weakened teams used.
Could this be the season that is different? The Stormers are top of the URC and began their Champions Cup adventure 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 talking about their ambition, and the caliber of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the round-one win.
The Stormers look the best bet for a team from South Africa to go deep into the event, although write off the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated this weekend but did meet formidable opponents respectively.
Northampton and Pau Produce a Classic Encounter
There were a few contenders for match of the round, and this one was right up there.
Pau have been having a outstanding season, guided by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are presently in second place in the French championship and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
