🔗 Share this article

With the first round of the new season's Champions Cup in the books, we explore the primary lessons stemming from the fixtures.

Gallic supremacy has defined the competition in recent seasons, with the last five champions all calling home France's top flight. However, the first weekend featured multiple convincing performances from potential contenders.

Bordeaux Seem Ready to Defend Their Title

Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were imperious in Europe a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and subsequently Northampton in the showpiece.

Currently sitting sixth in the Top 14, doubts have been raised about their ability to repeat the title now. Yet, in round one, Bordeaux served notice that they are well-positioned of winning consecutive championships with a free-flowing win on the road in South Africa.

Faced with a difficult tie at the Bulls' fortress against a strong Bulls side featuring stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at half-time.

However, as champions do, they unleashed their power in the second half, fighting back to secure a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls to zero after the break.

France international aces Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any outfit with those two on the flanks stands a good chance against whoever they face.

Impressive Bath Look Capable of Challenging for the Title

Bath's sole success in Europe was almost 30 years ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have probably never been more strongly positioned to add a second star.

The defending English Premiership champions are leading the way domestically after six games and will be hoping to translate that form into continental competition – on the back of a surprise group-stage exit the previous season.

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

They marry offensive flair – sealing the bonus point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, restraining their guests at arm's length when they attempted a fightback.

With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and a deep squad throughout the roster, they must be viewed as serious contenders for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.

Bath's pivotal moment in the group stage a year ago was in the next fixture, an narrow 22-21 loss at Benetton with a squad players.

After winning a league trophy to their name and setting the pace the home league, Van Graan could be inclined to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this year.

Glasgow Hand Sale a Tough Start

You will find quality outfits everywhere you look, but their section appears poised to be one of the most fiercely contested.

In the tournament's current format, a lot is emphasized regarding securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on Friday evening might just be pivotal.

The team from Scotland were two scores behind after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a valuable bonus-point win.

With this result, they provided their prospects of qualification a significant early boost and, conversely, dealt a significant setback to the Sharks.

With the red and blacks – imperious 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, in the same section, we can expect plenty of fireworks.

And regarding Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They delivered one of their best European performances in years to stun former champions Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for rugby in Scotland.

Is Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Jigsaw?

Should you pick one side you would expect to be there or thereabouts at the later stages of the season in Europe, it would be European giants Leinster.

But in recent seasons it has not worked out, as they have promised much but not won the trophy. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites the previous campaign after following up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the round of 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 final piece to take them over the line, but they were surprised and experienced a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.

Now they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a key pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.

Will Ioane prove to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?

Stormers Seem Prepared to Challenge

Since the South African sides entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the quarter-finals, and the previous season none of them was able to progress out of the pool phase, with plenty of weakened teams selected.

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

The post-match comments were promising too, with players and coaches expressing their ambition, and the players such as stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the opening victory.

The Stormers look the most likely contender for a South African side to progress far in the event, but write off the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in their first games but did face Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.

Northampton and Pau Serve Up a Memorable Match

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

Pau have been enjoying a superb campaign, spearheaded by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.

They are right now second in the Top 14 and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's