Now that the initial matches of the 2025-26 Champions Cup concluded, we delve into the major talking points stemming from the games.
Top 14 superiority has ruled the roost in recent years, with the past five winners all representing France's Top 14. However, the opening round included several statement victories from new challengers.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Go Back-to-Back
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in the competition last season, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the grand finale.
Positioned sixth in the French league, doubts have been raised about their capacity to retain the feat this year. However, in the first round, Bordeaux served notice that they are more than capable of winning back-to-back titles with a points-laden away victory in South Africa.
Handed a tough assignment at the Bulls' fortress against a strong Bulls side including internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at half-time.
However, true to their champion status, they displayed their class in the final 40 minutes, fighting back to claim a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls without a point after the halftime.
French try-scoring machines Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any side with such firepower on the wings is a threat against whoever they face.
Impressive Bath Seem Poised of Challenging for the Title
Bath's sole success in this competition dates back almost a generation ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have perhaps not been better equipped to secure another title.
The defending English Premiership champions are leading the way at home after six games and will be aiming to translate that form into Europe – on the back of a shocking early departure in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's team looked a very complete and polished team in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are among the leaders in the Celtic league.
They combine attacking verve – earning the bonus point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, restraining their visitors at arm's length when they attempted a dramatic comeback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and a deep squad all over the team, they are surely serious contenders for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the pools last season occurred in the following week, an narrow 22-21 setback at Benetton with a squad players.
Having secured a Premiership title to their name and leading in England once more, Van Graan might decide to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Major Blow
There are quality outfits in every pool, 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 Friday evening might just prove crucial.
The Scottish side were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries early in the second half gave them a valuable bonus-point win.
By achieving this, they gave their prospects of qualification a positive start and, conversely, dealt a hefty blow to their opponents.
With the French giants – dominant 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, in the same section, we are likely to see high-stakes drama.
And what of Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They delivered one of their best European performances in a long time to surprise former champions Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for Scottish rugby.
Will Ioane Be the Final Piece of the Leinster Quest?
Should you pick one side you would fancy to be there or thereabouts at the business end of the continental campaign, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
However in the last few years it hasn't gone to plan, 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 a year ago after building on a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was thought that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the key player to take them over the line, but they were ambushed and experienced a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi.
Now they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a scoring pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Ready to Step Up
Since the South African sides entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the quarter-finals, and in the last campaign none of them was able to progress out of the group stage, with several rotated sides selected.
Will this be the campaign that is different? The Stormers are top of the URC and kicked off their continental journey with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The reactions after the game were encouraging too, with the squad and staff talking about their ambition, and the likes of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the first match.
The Stormers look the most likely contender for a team from South Africa to go deep into the event, but write off the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in their first games but did face the French powerhouses respectively.
The English and French Sides Deliver 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 superb campaign, spearheaded by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are currently second in the French league and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
