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Following the opening salvo of the 2025-26 Champions Cup concluded, we examine the major talking points stemming from the weekend's action.

Top 14 superiority has been the narrative in the past few campaigns, with the past five winners all calling home France's elite division. Yet, the first weekend included multiple statement victories from emerging contenders.

Bordeaux Appear Primed to Go Back-to-Back

Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in this tournament a year ago, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the showpiece.

Lying sixth in the domestic standings, doubts have been raised about their ability to repeat the title this season. However, in their opener, Bordeaux sent a message that they are well-positioned of winning consecutive championships with a free-flowing triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.

Given a tough assignment at Loftus Versfeld against a powerful Bulls side featuring talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at half-time.

But, demonstrating their pedigree, they showed their quality in the final 40 minutes, roaring back to claim a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls without a point after the interval.

French try-scoring aces Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any outfit with those two on the edges has a chance against any competition.

Powerful Bath Look Capable of Challenging for the Title

Bath's only triumph in the Champions Cup dates back almost a generation ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have arguably not been more strongly positioned to secure another title.

The defending English Premiership champions are leading the way domestically after six games and will be aiming to translate that form into the Champions Cup – on the back of a surprise group-stage exit in the last campaign.

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

They blend creative spark – securing the extra point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, holding their guests at bay when they threatened a late rally.

With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and a deep squad across the roster, they must be viewed as serious contenders for a first European trophy since 1998.

Bath's pivotal moment in the group stage the previous year occurred in the second round, an agonising 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a squad players.

Having secured a Premiership title in their history and leading in England once more, Van Graan may feel able to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this season.

Glasgow Give Sale a Major Blow

There are strong teams in every pool, but the first group seems destined to be one of the most fiercely contested.

In the competition's present structure, a lot is made about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the opening night might just turn out to be vital.

The team from Scotland were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries early in the second half gave them a valuable bonus-point win.

With this result, they gave their prospects of qualification a positive start and, conversely, handed a significant setback to the Sharks.

With the French giants – imperious 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, sharing the group, we can expect many thrilling contests.

And regarding Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They turned in one of their best European performances in years to stun former champions Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for the Scottish game.

Is Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Puzzle?

Should you pick one side you would predict to be challenging at the later stages of the continental campaign, it would be multiple champions Leinster.

Yet in the last few years it has ended in disappointment, as they have promised much but fallen short. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat a year ago after following up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.

It was hoped that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to secure the title, but they were surprised and suffered a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi.

This year they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a try assist on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.

Is Ioane the man to return the cup to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?

Stormers Appear Ready to Step Up

From the moment the SA franchises joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the last eight, and last year not a single one succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with several weakened teams fielded.

Could this be the season that is different? The Stormers are top of the URC and kicked off their continental journey with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on the opening night.

The reactions after the game were encouraging too, with the squad and staff expressing their goals, and the players such as stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the round-one win.

The Stormers appear the strongest candidate for a SA franchise to progress far in the tournament, yet do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in their first games but did face formidable opponents respectively.

Saints and Pau Deliver a Classic Encounter

There were multiple possibilities for match of the round, and this one was among the best.

Pau have been enjoying a outstanding season, guided by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.

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