Now that the opening salvo of the 2025-26 Champions Cup in the books, we explore the primary lessons highlighted by the games.
Top 14 superiority has ruled the roost in recent years, with the previous five victors all calling home France's top flight. But, the first weekend showcased a number of convincing performances from emerging rivals.
Bordeaux Look Set to Go Back-to-Back
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in the competition last season, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the grand finale.
Positioned sixth in the domestic standings, some have suggested about their capacity to retain the feat this season. However, in the first round, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are more than capable of winning back-to-back titles with a high-scoring win on the road in South Africa.
Given a tough assignment at Loftus Versfeld against a strong Bulls side boasting stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the break.
But, demonstrating their pedigree, they showed their quality in the second period, storming back to secure a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls without a point after the interval.
France international phenoms Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any side with those two on the wings is a threat against any opponent.
Impressive Bath Look Capable of Going the Distance
Bath's sole success in Europe dates back almost 30 years ago. In the years since, they have perhaps not been better equipped to add a second star.
The defending English Premiership champions are leading the way domestically after six games and will be looking to transfer that success into continental competition – particularly following a surprise group-stage exit the previous season.
Johann van Graan's side looked a highly composed and balanced unit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are third in the Celtic league.
They blend attacking verve – securing the try-scoring point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, keeping their visitors at bay when they looked like mounting a fightback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and strength in depth across the roster, they have to be considered credible threats for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's key result in the group stage the previous year came in the next fixture, an heartbreaking 22-21 setback at Benetton with a changed side.
Now with a Premiership title to their name and top in England once more, Van Graan could be inclined to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Give Sale a Significant Setback
There are quality outfits throughout the draw, but their section appears poised to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is said about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on Friday evening might just turn out to be vital.
The Glasgow Warriors were two scores behind after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries early in the second half gave them a precious five points.
By achieving this, they handed their prospects of qualification a significant early boost and, in turn, handed a significant setback to Sale.
With the red and blacks – commanding 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, also in the pool, we can expect 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 successful weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Is Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Quest?
If there's one team you would predict to be challenging at the business end of the season in Europe, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
However in the last few years it hasn't gone to plan, as they have promised much but not won the trophy. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites a year ago after backing up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was thought that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to secure the title, but they were caught out and experienced a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
Now they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a scoring pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Prepared to Challenge
From the moment the SA franchises joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and in the last campaign none of them succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with plenty of squads not at full strength fielded.
Could this be the season that turns around? The Stormers are top of the URC and started their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on the opening night.
The words from players and coaches were promising too, with the squad and staff speaking of their ambition, and the players such as South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the round-one win.
The Stormers look the strongest candidate for a South African side to progress far in the event, although do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in the opening round but did meet Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Northampton and Pau Produce a Classic Encounter
There were a few contenders for best fixture, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was among the best.
Pau have been experiencing a brilliant campaign, led by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are right now second in the Top 14 and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
