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With the first round of the 2025-26 Champions Cup concluded, we examine the primary lessons highlighted by the games.

Gallic supremacy has defined the competition in the past few campaigns, with the previous five victors all representing France's Top 14. Yet, the opening round featured multiple convincing performances from potential contenders.

Bordeaux Appear Primed to Defend Their Title

Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in Europe a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the grand finale.

Currently sitting sixth in the Top 14, doubts have been raised about their capacity to retain the accomplishment this year. However, in their opener, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are fully equipped of winning consecutive championships with a free-flowing win on the road in South Africa.

Handed a challenging fixture at the Bulls' fortress against a strong Bulls side boasting internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at half-time.

Yet, demonstrating their pedigree, they displayed their class in the second half, fighting back to seal a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls without a point after the break.

French try-scoring phenoms Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any outfit with that pair on the flanks stands a good chance against any competition.

Impressive Bath Look Capable of Challenging for the Title

Bath's only triumph in this competition dates back almost a generation ago. In the years since, they have arguably not been better equipped to secure another title.

The defending English Premiership champions are setting the pace in the league after six games and will be looking to carry that momentum into Europe – on the back of a shocking early departure in the last campaign.

Johann van Graan's team looked a very complete and composed outfit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are highly placed in the United Rugby Championship.

They marry creative spark – sealing the extra point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, restraining their visitors at arm's length when they attempted a fightback.

With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and strength in depth throughout the team, they must be viewed as credible threats for a continental title since 1998.

Bath's key result in the initial phase the previous year was in the second round, an agonising 22-21 loss at Benetton with a squad players.

Having secured a league trophy under their belt and top in England once more, Van Graan might decide to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup now.

Glasgow Hand Sale a Significant Setback

You will find powerful sides throughout the draw, but Pool One appears poised to be one of the most competitive.

In the competition's present structure, a lot is said about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on Friday evening might just prove crucial.

The Glasgow Warriors were two scores behind after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries during the beginning of the second half gave them a valuable maximum haul.

In doing so, they provided their hopes of advancing a major lift and, by contrast, dealt a hefty blow to their opponents.

With Toulouse – imperious 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, also in the pool, we can expect many thrilling contests.

And what of Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They turned in one of their top continental showings in a long time to surprise heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for Scottish rugby.

Will Ioane Be the Final Piece of the Leinster Jigsaw?

Should you pick one side you would predict to be there or thereabouts at the sharp end of the Champions Cup, it would be European giants Leinster.

Yet in recent campaigns it hasn't gone to plan, as they have shown great potential but fallen short. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites a year ago after backing up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.

It was hoped that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to secure the title, but they were ambushed and suffered a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.

This year they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a try assist on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.

Could Ioane be the player to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?

Stormers Appear Prepared to Challenge

Since the South African sides became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the last eight, and last year no South African side managed to make it out of the group stage, with several squads not at full strength fielded.

Could this be the season that turns around? The Stormers are top of the URC and started their continental journey with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.

The words from players and coaches were encouraging too, with players and coaches speaking of their ambition, and the players such as stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the first match.

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

The English and French Sides Produce a Thrilling Contest

There were several candidates for best fixture, and this one was right up there.

Pau have been enjoying a superb season, guided by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.

They are right now second in the French championship and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's