Now that the first round of the 2025-26 Champions Cup wrapped up, we examine the major talking points stemming from the weekend's action.
Top 14 superiority has been the narrative in recent years, with the previous five victors all representing France's Top 14. However, the first weekend included a number of impressive wins from potential contenders.
Bordeaux Look Set to Retain Their Crown
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in Europe a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the final.
Currently sitting sixth in the domestic standings, some have suggested about their ability to repeat the feat this season. But, in the first round, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are well-positioned of securing back-to-back titles with a high-scoring win on the road in South Africa.
Faced with a tough assignment at the Bulls' fortress against a strong Bulls side featuring stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the interval.
But, as champions do, they showed their quality in the second half, storming back to claim a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls without a point after the break.
France international machines Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any outfit with those two on the wings has a chance against any competition.
Impressive Bath Look Capable of A Deep Run
Bath's sole success in this competition dates back almost 30 years ago. Since that time, they have arguably not been more strongly positioned to secure another title.
The defending English Premiership champions are top of the pile at home after six games and will be hoping to translate that form into the Champions Cup – on the back of a unexpected elimination last year.
Johann van Graan's team looked a very complete and polished team in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are highly placed in the Celtic league.
They combine attacking verve – securing the try-scoring point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, holding their opponents at bay when they looked like mounting a late rally.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and strength in depth all over the squad, they have to be considered serious contenders for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the pools a year ago occurred in the second round, an agonising 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a squad players.
Having secured a domestic championship under their belt and setting the pace in England once more, Van Graan may feel able to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Give Sale a Major Blow
The tournament contains strong teams throughout the draw, but the first group looks set to be one of the most competitive.
In the existing pool system, a lot is said about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the opening night might just turn out to be vital.
The Scottish side were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a all-important five points.
By achieving this, they gave their prospects of qualification a positive start and, by contrast, handed a damaging defeat to the Sharks.
With the French giants – commanding 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, sharing the group, we should be in for high-stakes drama.
And regarding Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They produced one of their best European performances in recent memory to surprise three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for Scottish rugby.
Will Ioane Be the Key Addition of the Leinster Puzzle?
Should you pick one side you would expect to be there or thereabouts at the sharp end of the continental campaign, it would be European giants Leinster.
However in the last few years it hasn't gone to plan, as they have shown great potential but not won the trophy. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat the previous campaign after following up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was thought that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to secure the title, but they were ambushed and endured a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This year 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 win over Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Appear Equipped to Compete
Since the South African sides became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the quarter-finals, and in the last campaign no South African side managed to make it out of the group stage, with often rotated sides selected.
Could this be the season that is different? The Stormers are leading the URC and started their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.
The reactions after the game were promising too, with individuals involved talking about their goals, and the players such as Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the opening victory.
The Stormers appear the strongest candidate 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 face the French powerhouses respectively.
The English and French Sides Produce a Classic Encounter
There were a few contenders for best fixture, and that clash was right up there.
Pau have been enjoying a brilliant season, guided by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are right now second in the French championship and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's