Key Takeaways from the Champions Cup's First Round

With the first round of the 2025-26 Champions Cup wrapped up, we examine the primary lessons stemming from the games.

Top 14 superiority has defined the competition in recent years, with the past five winners all calling home France's elite division. Yet, the opening round showcased a number of statement victories from emerging rivals.

Bordeaux Appear Primed to Retain Their Crown

Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were imperious in this tournament the previous campaign, dismantling Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the final.

Positioned sixth in the domestic standings, some have suggested about their chances of defending the accomplishment this year. But, in their opener, Bordeaux sent a message that they are fully equipped of achieving back-to-back titles with a free-flowing triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.

Handed a tough assignment at a hostile venue against a formidable Bulls side including talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the interval.

However, as champions do, they unleashed their power in the second half, roaring back to secure a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls to zero after the halftime.

French try-scoring machines Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any side with that pair on the edges stands a good chance against any competition.

Impressive Bath Seem Poised of A Deep Run

Bath's only triumph in this competition dates back almost three decades ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have perhaps not been better equipped to add a second star.

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

Johann van Graan's side looked a highly composed and polished team in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are third in the URC.

They blend offensive flair – securing the bonus point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, restraining their guests at bay when they looked like mounting a late rally.

With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and strength in depth across the roster, they are surely genuine challengers for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.

Bath's pivotal moment in the initial phase a year ago was in the next fixture, an agonising 22-21 loss at Benetton with a changed side.

Now with a Premiership title under their belt and top the home league, Van Graan could be inclined to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this year.

Glasgow Deal Sale a Tough Start

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

In the tournament's current format, a lot is said about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the first day might just be pivotal.

The Glasgow Warriors were two scores behind after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a all-important maximum haul.

By achieving this, they handed their chances of progressing a positive start and, conversely, inflicted a significant setback to their opponents.

With the red and blacks – imperious 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, in the same section, we are likely to see high-stakes drama.

And regarding Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They produced one of their best European performances in recent memory to stun former champions Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for the Scottish game.

Could Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Puzzle?

Should you pick one side you would predict 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 hasn't gone to plan, as they have shown great potential but not won the trophy. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites a year ago after backing up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the quarter-final.

It was believed that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the key player to win the championship, but they were ambushed and suffered a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the last four.

Now they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a key pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.

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

Stormers Appear Equipped to Compete

Ever since the teams from South Africa joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and in the last campaign no South African side succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with several squads not at full strength fielded.

Is this the year that turns around? The Stormers are top of the URC and kicked off their continental journey with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on Friday.

The reactions after the game were positive too, with players and coaches talking about their goals, and the players such as stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the first match.

The Stormers seem the most likely contender for a SA franchise to have a long run in the event, but write off the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat this weekend but did play the French powerhouses respectively.

Northampton and Pau Deliver 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 having a outstanding season, guided by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.

They are currently runner-up in the Top 14 and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's