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Now that the opening salvo of the 2025-26 Champions Cup in the books, we examine the major talking points emerging from the weekend's action.

French dominance has been the narrative in recent seasons, with the last five champions all calling home France's elite division. But, the initial stage featured several impressive wins from potential rivals.

Bordeaux Appear Primed to Defend Their Title

Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were imperious in the competition the previous campaign, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the final.

Lying sixth in the French league, questions have been asked about their chances of defending the accomplishment this season. But, in round one, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are fully equipped of achieving another trophy with a free-flowing away victory in South Africa.

Handed a difficult tie at the Bulls' fortress against a powerful Bulls side boasting talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the interval.

Yet, demonstrating their pedigree, they showed their quality in the second half, roaring back to claim a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls without a point after the interval.

French try-scoring machines Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any team with those two on the edges is a threat against any opponent.

Formidable Bath Look Capable of Challenging for the Title

Bath's sole success in the Champions Cup dates back almost a generation ago. In the years since, they have arguably not been more prepared to secure another title.

The current English champions are setting the pace at home after six games and will be hoping to translate that form into Europe – especially after a unexpected elimination last year.

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

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

With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and a deep squad all over the squad, they have to be considered credible threats for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.

Bath's key result in the initial phase a year ago occurred in the second round, an heartbreaking 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a changed side.

After winning a Premiership title to their name and setting the pace in England once more, Van Graan could be inclined to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup now.

Glasgow Hand Sale a Tough Start

You will find quality outfits everywhere you look, but Pool One seems destined to be one of the most competitive.

In the existing pool system, a lot is made about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on Friday evening might just prove crucial.

The Glasgow Warriors were two scores behind after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a valuable five points.

With this result, they provided their prospects of qualification a positive start and, conversely, dealt a significant setback to their opponents.

With Toulouse – dominant 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, in the same section, we are likely to see many thrilling contests.

And what of Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They produced one of their top continental showings in a long time to shock three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for rugby in Scotland.

Is Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Jigsaw?

If there's one team you would expect to be challenging at the later stages of the season in Europe, it would be multiple champions Leinster.

But in recent campaigns it has ended in disappointment, as they have been favourites but delivered little. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat the previous campaign after building on a 62-0 mauling 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 secure the title, but they were surprised and experienced a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.

This year they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a scoring pass 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 occasion since 2018?

Stormers Appear Equipped to Compete

Ever since the teams from South Africa entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the last eight, and last year not a single one managed to make it out of the pool phase, with often rotated sides used.

Could this be the season that is different? The Stormers are leading the URC and kicked off their European campaign with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.

The words from players and coaches were promising too, with the squad and staff expressing their ambition, and the likes of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the first match.

The Stormers seem the best bet for a team from South Africa to go deep into the competition, but write off the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat this weekend but did meet formidable opponents respectively.

Saints and Pau Produce a Classic Encounter

There were multiple possibilities for best fixture, and this one was a leading candidate.

Pau have been having a brilliant campaign, led by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.

They are currently in second place in the French league and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's