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Following the initial matches of the 2025-26 Champions Cup in the books, we delve into the major talking points highlighted by the weekend's action.

French dominance has defined the competition in the past few campaigns, with the previous five victors all calling home France's Top 14. But, the initial stage included several statement victories from emerging contenders.

Bordeaux Appear Primed to Go Back-to-Back

Current holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in the competition last season, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the showpiece.

Lying sixth in the domestic standings, questions have been asked about their ability to repeat the title now. Yet, in round one, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are fully equipped of winning back-to-back titles with a high-scoring away victory in South Africa.

Given a challenging fixture at the Bulls' fortress against a powerful Bulls side featuring internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at half-time.

However, true to their champion status, they unleashed their power in the final 40 minutes, fighting back to seal a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls to zero after the interval.

Les Bleus stars machines Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any team with those two on the flanks stands a good chance against any opponent.

Impressive Bath Look Capable of A Deep Run

Bath's sole success in this competition was almost a generation ago. In the years since, they have perhaps not been more strongly positioned to add a second star.

The reigning domestic title-holders are setting the pace domestically after six games and will be aiming to transfer that success into the Champions Cup – on the back of a unexpected elimination the previous season.

Johann van Graan's men looked a extremely well-rounded and balanced unit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are third in the United Rugby Championship.

They blend creative spark – securing the try-scoring point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, holding their visitors at bay when they looked like mounting a dramatic comeback.

With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and a deep squad across the squad, they have to be considered genuine challengers for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.

Bath's key result in the pools a year ago was in the second round, an narrow 22-21 loss at Benetton with a squad players.

After winning a Premiership title under their belt and leading the home league, Van Graan may feel able to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this year.

Glasgow Give Sale a Significant Setback

The tournament contains quality outfits throughout the draw, but Pool One appears poised to be one of the most fiercely contested.

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 turn out to be vital.

The Scottish side were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a precious five points.

In doing so, they handed their hopes of advancing a significant early boost and, by contrast, handed a significant setback to their opponents.

With the red and blacks – dominant 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, in the same section, we can expect high-stakes drama.

And as for Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They delivered one of their top continental showings in years to shock heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for Scottish rugby.

Could Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Jigsaw?

If there's one team you would predict to be there or thereabouts at the business end of the continental campaign, it would be multiple champions Leinster.

However in recent campaigns it has not worked out, as they have shown great potential but not won the trophy. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat a year ago after building on a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the last eight.

It was hoped that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the key player to take them over the line, but they were caught out and endured a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.

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

Will Ioane prove to return the cup to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?

Stormers Look 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 none of them was able to progress out of the group stage, with plenty of squads not at full strength used.

Will this be the campaign that changes? The Stormers are top of the URC and started their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.

The post-match comments were encouraging too, with individuals involved talking about their goals, and the likes of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the first match.

The Stormers look the most likely contender for a South African side to progress far in the tournament, although do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in their first games but did play formidable opponents respectively.

Saints and Pau Deliver a Thrilling Contest

There were several candidates for game of the weekend, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was right up there.

Pau have been enjoying a outstanding campaign, guided by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half 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