Key Takeaways from the European Cup's Opening Weekend

Now that the opening salvo of the 2025-26 Champions Cup in the books, we examine the primary lessons stemming from the fixtures.

French dominance has been the narrative in the past few campaigns, with the previous five victors all hailing from France's top flight. However, the initial stage featured multiple convincing performances from emerging challengers.

Bordeaux Seem Ready to Defend Their Title

Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in Europe a year ago, dismantling Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the final.

Currently sitting sixth in the Top 14, some have suggested about their ability to repeat the accomplishment now. But, in the first round, Bordeaux sent a message that they are well-positioned of achieving another trophy with a points-laden triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.

Handed a difficult tie at Loftus Versfeld against a strong Bulls side including talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the break.

Yet, as champions do, they unleashed their power in the second period, roaring back to seal a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls without a point after the break.

Les Bleus stars phenoms Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any outfit with such firepower on the edges is a threat against whoever they face.

Formidable Bath Appear Equipped of Challenging for the Title

Bath's lone victory in Europe was almost a generation ago. Since that time, they have arguably not been better equipped to win it again.

The current English champions are top of the pile domestically after six games and will be hoping to transfer that success into Europe – particularly following a surprise group-stage exit the previous season.

Johann van Graan's side looked a extremely well-rounded and balanced unit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are among the leaders in the URC.

They combine creative spark – securing the try-scoring point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, restraining their visitors at bay when they looked like mounting a dramatic comeback.

With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and a deep squad throughout the squad, they must be viewed as credible threats for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.

Bath's defining match in the group stage last season occurred in the following week, an agonising 22-21 loss at Benetton with a rotated team.

Having secured a domestic championship in their history and top in England once more, Van Graan might decide to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this year.

Glasgow Hand Sale a Significant Setback

There are strong teams everywhere you look, but their section seems destined to be one of the tightest.

In the competition's present structure, a lot is emphasized regarding winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on Friday evening might just prove crucial.

The Scottish side were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries during the beginning of the second half gave them a precious maximum haul.

With this result, they gave their hopes of advancing a significant early boost and, in turn, inflicted a hefty blow to Sale.

With the French giants – dominant 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, in the same section, we should be in for high-stakes drama.

And regarding Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They delivered one of their finest displays in Europe in a long time to shock heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for Scottish rugby.

Will Ioane Be the Key Addition of the Leinster Quest?

Should you pick one side you would predict to be in the mix at the sharp end of the continental campaign, it would be European giants Leinster.

But in recent campaigns it has not worked out, as they have been favourites but not won the trophy. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat last season after building on a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.

It was thought that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the key player to win the championship, but they were surprised and experienced 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 key pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.

Will Ioane prove to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?

Stormers Look Prepared to Challenge

Ever since the teams from South Africa entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the quarter-finals, and last year not a single one succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with several squads not at full strength fielded.

Is this the year 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 Friday.

The words from players and coaches were promising too, with the squad and staff talking about their aspirations, and the likes of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the round-one win.

The Stormers appear the strongest candidate for a team from South Africa to progress far in the event, although do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in their first games but did play formidable opponents respectively.

Northampton and Pau Serve Up a Memorable Match

There were several candidates for match of the round, and this one was right up there.

Pau have been experiencing a brilliant campaign, guided by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.

They are currently runner-up in the Top 14 and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's