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With the first round of the 2025-26 Champions Cup wrapped up, we examine the major talking points stemming from the games.

Gallic supremacy has defined the competition in the past few campaigns, with the previous five victors all hailing from France's Top 14. However, the opening round included multiple statement victories from new challengers.

Bordeaux Appear Primed to Defend Their Title

Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in this tournament the previous campaign, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the grand finale.

Currently sitting sixth in the Top 14, doubts have been raised about their capacity to retain the title this year. But, in their opener, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are well-positioned of securing another trophy with a high-scoring away victory in South Africa.

Given a difficult tie at Loftus Versfeld against a powerful Bulls side including internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the interval.

However, as champions do, they unleashed their power in the second period, fighting back to claim a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls without a point after the halftime.

French try-scoring machines Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any team with such firepower on the wings is a threat against any opponent.

Powerful Bath Appear Equipped of A Deep Run

Bath's sole success in the Champions Cup was almost three decades ago. In the years since, they have perhaps not been more strongly positioned to win it again.

The defending English Premiership champions are leading the way at home after six games and will be looking to transfer that success into Europe – on the back of a unexpected elimination in the last campaign.

Johann van Graan's men looked a extremely well-rounded and polished team in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are among the leaders in the United Rugby Championship.

They blend attacking verve – earning the try-scoring point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, keeping their opponents at bay when they attempted a late rally.

With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and quality reserves throughout the roster, they have to be considered credible threats for a continental title since 1998.

Bath's key result in the group stage the previous year came in the next fixture, an narrow 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a changed side.

Now with a league trophy in their history and setting the pace domestically again, Van Graan could be inclined to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this season.

Glasgow Give Sale a Tough Start

There are strong teams throughout the draw, but their section appears poised to be one of the most competitive.

In the tournament's current format, a lot is said about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the first day might just be pivotal.

The Scottish side were two scores behind after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a precious bonus-point win.

By achieving this, they provided their hopes of advancing a major lift and, conversely, dealt a hefty blow to Sale.

With the red and blacks – imperious 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, in the same section, we should be in for many thrilling contests.

And what of Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They produced one of their top continental showings in a long time to shock heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for the Scottish game.

Is Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Quest?

When considering a contender you would predict to be in the mix at the later stages of the continental campaign, it would be multiple champions Leinster.

Yet in recent campaigns it has ended in disappointment, as they have been favourites but fallen short. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites last season after building on a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.

It was hoped that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the key player to take them over the line, but they were caught out and suffered a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the last four.

This season they are testing another New Zealand import, 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 bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?

Stormers Look Ready to Step Up

Since the South African sides entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and in the last campaign no South African side managed to make it out of the group stage, with often weakened teams selected.

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

The reactions after the game were encouraging too, with players and coaches speaking of their ambition, and the likes of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the first match.

The Stormers seem the best bet for a SA franchise to go deep into the event, but do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost this weekend but did face Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.

Saints and Pau Produce a Classic Encounter

There were multiple possibilities for best fixture, and that clash was among the best.

Pau have been experiencing a superb season, spearheaded by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.

They are presently second in the French championship and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's