🔗 Share this article

With the first round of the 2025-26 Champions Cup in the books, we explore the primary lessons stemming from the weekend's action.

French dominance has defined the competition in recent seasons, with the previous five victors all calling home France's top flight. Yet, the opening round showcased a number of impressive wins from emerging contenders.

Bordeaux Seem Ready to Retain Their Crown

Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in this tournament a year ago, dominating Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the final.

Lying sixth in the domestic standings, questions have been asked about their capacity to retain the feat now. Yet, in the first round, Bordeaux sent a message that they are well-positioned of securing another trophy with a free-flowing triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.

Faced with a challenging fixture at a hostile venue against a strong Bulls side including stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the break.

However, as champions do, they displayed their class in the second half, fighting back to secure a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls scoreless after the interval.

French try-scoring machines Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any outfit with that pair on the edges has a chance against whoever they face.

Formidable Bath Appear Equipped of Going the Distance

Bath's only triumph in the Champions Cup dates back almost three decades ago. In the years since, they have perhaps not been better equipped to win it again.

The reigning domestic title-holders are leading the way domestically after six games and will be hoping to transfer that success into continental competition – particularly following a shocking early departure last year.

Johann van Graan's men looked a extremely well-rounded and composed outfit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are among the leaders in the Celtic league.

They combine attacking verve – securing the try-scoring point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, holding their guests at a distance when they attempted a late rally.

With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and quality reserves all over the team, they are surely serious contenders for a continental title since 1998.

Bath's pivotal moment in the initial phase the previous year was in the following week, an narrow 22-21 loss at Benetton with a squad players.

After winning a Premiership title in their history and top in England once more, Van Graan could be inclined to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this year.

Glasgow Hand Sale a Major Blow

There are quality outfits in every pool, but Pool One seems destined to be one of the most competitive.

In the competition's present structure, a lot is made about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the opening night might just be pivotal.

The Glasgow Warriors were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries during the beginning of the second period gave them a precious five points.

By achieving this, they provided their prospects of qualification a major lift and, by contrast, inflicted a significant setback to Sale.

With the French giants – imperious 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, sharing the group, we are likely to see high-stakes drama.

And what of Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They delivered one of their best European performances in a long time to stun three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for the Scottish game.

Will Ioane Be the Key Addition of the Leinster Jigsaw?

Should you pick one side you would expect to be there or thereabouts at the sharp end of the continental campaign, it would be four-time winners Leinster.

However in recent seasons 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 heavy favourites last season after following up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the quarter-final.

It was believed that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to take them over the line, but they were surprised and endured a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the last four.

This season they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a try assist on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.

Will Ioane prove to secure European glory to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?

Stormers Look Prepared to Challenge

Since the South African sides became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the last eight, and the previous season none of them was able to progress out of the pool phase, with often weakened teams selected.

Is this the year that changes? The Stormers are top of the URC and started their European campaign with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.

The words from players and coaches were positive too, with individuals involved talking about their goals, and the likes of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the first match.

The Stormers look the most likely contender for a team from South Africa to progress far in the tournament, but don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in their first games but did meet Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.

Saints and Pau Serve Up a Memorable Match

There were multiple possibilities for match of the round, and this one was among the best.

Pau have been having a brilliant campaign, guided by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.

They are currently second in the French championship and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's