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Following the opening salvo of the 2025-26 Champions Cup wrapped up, we examine the key revelations emerging from the games.

French dominance has been the narrative in the past few campaigns, with the previous five victors all hailing from France's Top 14. However, the initial stage showcased a number of impressive wins from potential challengers.

Bordeaux Appear Primed to Go Back-to-Back

Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in the competition a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the final.

Lying sixth in the Top 14, some have suggested about their ability to repeat the accomplishment this year. But, in round one, Bordeaux sent a message that they are fully equipped of winning another trophy with a free-flowing triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.

Handed a challenging fixture at Loftus Versfeld against a formidable Bulls side boasting internationals 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 displayed their class in the second half, fighting back to claim a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls scoreless after the halftime.

Les Bleus stars machines Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any side with such firepower on the edges stands a good chance against any opponent.

Impressive Bath Look Capable of Going the Distance

Bath's sole success in Europe came almost three decades ago. In the years since, they have perhaps not been more prepared to win it again.

The reigning domestic title-holders are top of the pile domestically after six games and will be looking to transfer that success into continental competition – especially after a surprise group-stage exit the previous season.

Johann van Graan's men looked a extremely well-rounded and composed outfit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are highly placed in the URC.

They blend offensive flair – sealing the extra point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, holding their guests at a distance when they threatened a dramatic comeback.

With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and a deep squad throughout the squad, they are surely genuine challengers for a first European trophy since 1998.

Bath's key result in the group stage a year ago came in the second round, an agonising 22-21 loss at Benetton with a squad players.

Having secured a Premiership title in their history and leading domestically again, Van Graan could be inclined to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this season.

Glasgow Give Sale a Tough Start

The tournament contains quality outfits throughout the draw, but Pool One appears poised to be one of the most competitive.

In the existing pool system, a lot is made about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on Friday evening might just be pivotal.

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 all-important five points.

In doing so, they provided their prospects of qualification a significant early boost and, in turn, inflicted a significant setback to the Sharks.

With the red and blacks – commanding 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, also in the pool, we can expect plenty of fireworks.

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

Is Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Puzzle?

If there's one team you would expect to be challenging at the sharp end of the Champions Cup, it would be four-time winners Leinster.

Yet in the last few years it has not worked out, as they have shown great potential but not won the trophy. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites a year ago after building on a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.

It was believed that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the key player to take them over the line, but they were ambushed and experienced a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the last four.

This season they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a scoring pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.

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

Stormers Appear Equipped to Compete

From the moment the SA franchises became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and last year not a single one was able to progress out of the pool phase, with often squads not at full strength selected.

Could this be the season that is different? The Stormers are first in the URC and started their continental journey with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.

The post-match comments were encouraging too, with the squad and staff expressing their goals, and the caliber of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the opening victory.

The Stormers look the best bet for a team from South Africa to have a long run in the competition, yet write off the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in the opening round but did play formidable opponents respectively.

Northampton and Pau Serve Up a Memorable Match

There were multiple possibilities for match of the round, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was right up there.

Pau have been enjoying a brilliant campaign, spearheaded by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.

They are presently runner-up in the French league and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's