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Following the first round of the 2025-26 Champions Cup in the books, we examine the major talking points emerging from the games.

Top 14 superiority has defined the competition in recent years, with the last five champions all representing France's Top 14. But, the initial stage featured multiple convincing performances from new rivals.

Bordeaux Appear Primed to Retain Their Crown

Current holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in this tournament a year ago, dominating Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the grand finale.

Lying sixth in the French league, questions have been asked about their capacity to retain the title this season. But, in round one, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are well-positioned of winning another trophy with a free-flowing away victory in South Africa.

Given a challenging fixture at a hostile venue against a powerful Bulls side including stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at half-time.

However, true to their champion status, they unleashed their power in the second period, roaring back to secure a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls without a point after the halftime.

Les Bleus stars aces Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any side with those two on the edges has a chance against any competition.

Impressive Bath Look Capable of Challenging for the Title

Bath's only triumph in this competition was almost a generation ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have arguably not been more prepared to win it again.

The reigning domestic title-holders are setting the pace at home after six games and will be looking to carry that momentum into Europe – particularly following a surprise group-stage exit in the last campaign.

Johann van Graan's men looked a very complete and balanced unit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are among the leaders in the URC.

They combine offensive flair – earning the try-scoring point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, restraining their visitors at arm's length when they looked like mounting a dramatic comeback.

With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and quality reserves across the roster, they are surely genuine challengers for a continental title since 1998.

Bath's key result in the pools the previous year occurred in the next fixture, an heartbreaking 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a squad players.

Now with a Premiership title to their name and leading the home league, Van Graan could be inclined to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup now.

Glasgow Hand Sale a Significant Setback

You will find quality outfits everywhere you look, but their section seems destined to be one of the most fiercely contested.

In the existing pool system, a lot is said about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the first day might just prove crucial.

The team from Scotland were two scores behind after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a precious maximum haul.

With this result, they provided their hopes of advancing a significant early boost and, in turn, dealt a significant setback to Sale.

With Toulouse – imperious 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, sharing the group, we can expect high-stakes drama.

And what of Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They turned in one of their best European performances in a long time to stun heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for Scottish rugby.

Could Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Puzzle?

Should you pick one side you would predict to be challenging at the sharp end of the season in Europe, it would be European giants Leinster.

Yet in the last few years it has ended in disappointment, as they have been favourites but delivered little. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites the previous campaign after building on a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the quarter-final.

It was believed that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to secure the title, but they were surprised and experienced a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.

This season they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a try assist on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.

Will Ioane prove to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?

Stormers Look Ready to Step Up

From the moment the SA franchises joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and the previous season no South African side was able to progress out of the group stage, with often rotated sides selected.

Is this the year that turns around? The Stormers are first in the URC and kicked off their European campaign with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.

The post-match comments were encouraging too, with individuals involved talking about their ambition, and the caliber of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the first match.

The Stormers appear the best bet for a team from South Africa to go deep into the tournament, but write off the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated this weekend but did meet formidable opponents respectively.

Northampton and Pau Deliver a Memorable Match

There were a few contenders for game of the weekend, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was among the best.

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

They are currently in second place in the Top 14 and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's