Major Lessons after the Champions Cup's First Round

Following the opening salvo of the 2025-26 Champions Cup concluded, we delve into the key revelations stemming from the games.

Top 14 superiority has been the narrative in recent years, with the last five champions all hailing from France's top flight. However, the first weekend showcased a number of statement victories from new challengers.

Bordeaux Seem Ready to Go Back-to-Back

Current holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in the competition a year ago, dominating Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the grand finale.

Currently sitting sixth in the domestic standings, doubts have been raised about their capacity to retain the accomplishment this year. Yet, in round one, Bordeaux served notice that they are more than capable of achieving back-to-back titles with a high-scoring triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.

Handed a tough assignment at a hostile venue against a strong Bulls side featuring talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at half-time.

Yet, true to their champion status, they displayed their class in the second period, storming back to claim a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls scoreless after the interval.

French try-scoring machines Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any side with that pair on the flanks is a threat against any competition.

Powerful Bath Seem Poised of A Deep Run

Bath's sole success in Europe dates back almost three decades ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have probably never been better equipped to win it again.

The current English champions are leading the way domestically after six games and will be hoping to transfer that success into Europe – particularly following a unexpected elimination last year.

Johann van Graan's side looked a highly composed and polished team in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are highly placed in the United Rugby Championship.

They combine offensive flair – sealing the extra point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, restraining their visitors at a distance when they threatened a dramatic comeback.

With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and a deep squad across the team, they must be viewed as credible threats for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.

Bath's defining match in the group stage a year ago occurred in the second round, an heartbreaking 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a rotated team.

Having secured a domestic championship in their history and top the home league, Van Graan may feel able to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup now.

Glasgow Hand Sale a Tough Start

You will find strong teams everywhere you look, but Pool One looks set to be one of the most fiercely contested.

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 Glasgow Warriors were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries early in the second half gave them a valuable five points.

In doing so, they provided their prospects of qualification a positive start and, conversely, inflicted a significant setback to the Sharks.

With Toulouse – dominant 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, also in the pool, we should be in for many thrilling contests.

And regarding Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They delivered one of their top continental showings in recent memory to surprise three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for Scottish rugby.

Could Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Jigsaw?

When considering a contender you would fancy to be there or thereabouts at the sharp end of the season in Europe, it would be multiple champions Leinster.

But in the last few years it hasn't gone to plan, as they have been favourites but delivered little. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites the previous campaign after following up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the last eight.

It was thought that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the key player to win the championship, but they were caught out and experienced a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.

This season they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a scoring pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.

Is Ioane the man to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?

Stormers Look Ready to Step Up

Since the South African sides became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and the previous season not a single one succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with plenty of squads not at full strength used.

Could this be the season that is different? The Stormers are first in the URC and kicked off their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.

The words from players and coaches were encouraging too, with players and coaches speaking of their aspirations, and the caliber of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the opening victory.

The Stormers appear the best bet for a team from South Africa to go deep into the tournament, but don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in their first games but did play Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.

The English and French Sides Produce a Memorable Match

There were several candidates for best fixture, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was a leading candidate.

Pau have been having a outstanding season, spearheaded by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.

They are right now second in the Top 14 and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's