Now that the initial matches of the 2025-26 Champions Cup in the books, we examine the primary lessons stemming from the games.
Gallic supremacy has been the narrative in recent years, with the previous five victors all hailing from France's top flight. Yet, the initial stage showcased multiple statement victories from potential challengers.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Go Back-to-Back
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in this tournament a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and subsequently Northampton in the showpiece.
Positioned sixth in the French league, doubts have been raised about their capacity to retain the feat now. Yet, in the first round, Bordeaux sent a message that they are fully equipped of winning another trophy with a points-laden away victory in South Africa.
Given a difficult tie at a hostile venue against a powerful Bulls side including internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the break.
But, demonstrating their pedigree, they displayed their class in the second half, fighting back to secure a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls scoreless after the break.
France international phenoms Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any side with those two on the edges is a threat against any competition.
Formidable Bath Look Capable of Going the Distance
Bath's only triumph in Europe was almost three decades ago. Since that time, they have probably never been better equipped to add a second star.
The current English champions are setting the pace at home after six games and will be looking to transfer that success into continental competition – especially after a unexpected elimination the previous season.
Johann van Graan's team looked a highly composed and composed outfit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are highly placed in the United Rugby Championship.
They blend creative spark – earning the try-scoring point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, restraining their guests at arm's length when they looked like mounting a fightback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and quality reserves across the roster, they must be viewed as credible threats for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's key result in the initial phase the previous year came in the next fixture, an agonising 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a changed side.
Now with a Premiership title under their belt and leading domestically again, Van Graan may feel able to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Significant Setback
The tournament contains quality outfits everywhere you look, but the first group seems destined to be one of the tightest.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is emphasized regarding winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on Friday evening might just turn out to be vital.
The Scottish side were two scores behind after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries early in the second half gave them a precious bonus-point win.
In doing so, they handed their prospects of qualification a major lift and, by contrast, handed a damaging defeat to Sale.
With Toulouse – imperious 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, in the same section, we should be in for plenty of fireworks.
And what of Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They turned in one of their top continental showings in a long time to stun heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for the Scottish game.
Will Ioane Be the Final Piece of the Leinster Jigsaw?
Should you pick one side you would fancy to be in the mix at the later stages of the continental campaign, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
However in the last few years it has not worked out, as they have shown great potential but delivered little. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites a year ago after following up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was thought that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to secure the title, 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 registered a key pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Look Equipped to Compete
Ever since the teams from South Africa became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the quarter-finals, and in the last campaign not a single one managed to make it out of the pool phase, with plenty of rotated sides used.
Could this be the season that is different? The Stormers are first in the URC and began their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.
The reactions after the game were encouraging too, with players and coaches expressing their ambition, and the caliber of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the opening victory.
The Stormers appear the most likely contender for a SA franchise to progress far in the event, although write off the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in the opening round but did face the French powerhouses respectively.
The English and French Sides Produce a Classic Encounter
There were multiple possibilities for match of the round, and this one was a leading candidate.
Pau have been enjoying a brilliant campaign, led by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are currently second in the Top 14 and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
