Now that the first round of the 2025-26 Champions Cup wrapped up, we examine the primary lessons emerging from the fixtures.
French dominance has defined the competition in recent seasons, with the past five winners all calling home France's top flight. Yet, the first weekend featured multiple statement victories from new challengers.
Bordeaux Look Set to Retain Their Crown
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in the competition a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the final.
Currently sitting sixth in the French league, some have suggested about their capacity to retain the accomplishment this season. Yet, in round one, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are more than capable of achieving another trophy with a points-laden away victory in South Africa.
Handed a tough assignment at the Bulls' fortress against a formidable Bulls side boasting internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the interval.
But, true to their champion status, they unleashed their power in the second period, storming back to claim a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls to zero after the break.
Les Bleus stars phenoms Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any team with those two on the edges is a threat against whoever they face.
Formidable Bath Seem Poised of Challenging for the Title
Bath's only triumph in Europe dates back almost 30 years ago. Since that time, they have probably never been more prepared to win it again.
The current English champions are top of the pile at home after six games and will be hoping to translate that form into continental competition – on the back of a shocking early departure the previous season.
Johann van Graan's team looked a highly composed and balanced unit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are highly placed in the United Rugby Championship.
They marry attacking verve – sealing the bonus point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, restraining their opponents at a distance when they looked like mounting a late rally.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and strength in depth across the roster, they have to be considered serious contenders for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the group stage the previous year was in the following week, an narrow 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a changed side.
After winning a domestic championship in their history and top the home league, Van Graan may feel able to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Tough Start
There are strong teams throughout the draw, but their section seems destined to be one of the most competitive.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is made about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the opening night might just prove crucial.
The Scottish side were two scores behind after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries during the beginning of the second half gave them a precious maximum haul.
With this result, they gave their chances of progressing a significant early boost and, by contrast, inflicted a hefty blow to Sale.
With the red and blacks – commanding 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, sharing the group, we are likely to see high-stakes drama.
And regarding Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They turned in one of their top continental showings in a long time to stun heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Will Ioane Be the Final Piece of the Leinster Quest?
If there's one team you would expect to be in the mix at the later stages of the season in Europe, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
However in recent seasons it has not worked out, as they have promised much but delivered little. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites the previous campaign after following up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was thought that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to secure the title, but they were surprised and suffered a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This year they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a key pass on his first appearance 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 Seem Prepared to Challenge
From the moment the SA franchises joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the last eight, and the previous season not a single one was able to progress out of the group stage, with often weakened teams used.
Is this the year that turns around? The Stormers are top of the URC and started their European campaign with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on the opening night.
The reactions after the game were positive too, with the squad and staff expressing their goals, and the players such as Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the round-one win.
The Stormers look the strongest candidate for a SA franchise to progress far in the competition, although do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in their first games but did face formidable opponents respectively.
The English and French Sides Serve Up a Thrilling Contest
There were multiple possibilities for game of the weekend, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was a leading candidate.
Pau have been having a superb campaign, spearheaded by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are currently runner-up in the French championship and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's