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With the first round of the 2025-26 Champions Cup wrapped up, we explore the major talking points highlighted by the weekend's action.

Gallic supremacy has been the narrative in recent seasons, with the previous five victors all hailing from France's top flight. But, the initial stage included multiple statement victories from emerging contenders.

Bordeaux Seem Ready to Retain Their Crown

Current holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in Europe last season, 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 capacity to retain the accomplishment now. Yet, in round one, Bordeaux served notice that they are fully equipped of winning consecutive championships with a high-scoring away victory in South Africa.

Faced with a challenging fixture at Loftus Versfeld against a strong Bulls side featuring talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at half-time.

But, demonstrating their pedigree, they showed their quality in the second period, storming back to secure a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls scoreless after the interval.

Les Bleus stars aces Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any side with such firepower on the flanks is a threat against any opponent.

Impressive Bath Look Capable of A Deep Run

Bath's lone victory in this competition came almost a generation ago. In the years since, they have arguably not been more prepared to secure another title.

The current English champions are top of the pile at home after six games and will be aiming to translate that form into Europe – particularly following a unexpected elimination the previous season.

Johann van Graan's side looked a extremely well-rounded and polished team in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are third in the Celtic league.

They marry attacking verve – securing the extra point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, holding their opponents at arm's length when they looked like mounting a late rally.

With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and strength in depth throughout the roster, they are surely serious contenders for a continental title since 1998.

Bath's key result in the group stage last season was in the next fixture, an narrow 22-21 loss at Benetton with a changed side.

After winning a Premiership title under their belt and setting the pace in England once more, Van Graan may feel able to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this year.

Glasgow Deal Sale a Significant Setback

The tournament contains powerful sides in every pool, but the first group appears poised to be one of the most competitive.

In the existing pool system, a lot is emphasized regarding victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on Friday evening might just turn out to be vital.

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

In doing so, they gave their prospects of qualification a significant early boost and, in turn, handed a hefty blow to the Sharks.

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

And regarding Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They delivered one of their top continental showings in recent memory to surprise former champions Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for Scottish rugby.

Could Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Quest?

If there's one team you would predict to be in the mix at the later stages of the continental campaign, it would be European giants Leinster.

Yet in recent seasons it hasn't gone to plan, as they have been favourites but fallen short. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites a year ago after backing up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the last eight.

It was believed that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to take them over the line, but they were ambushed and endured a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the last four.

Now they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a try assist on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.

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

Stormers Look Equipped to Compete

Since the South African sides joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the last eight, and in the last campaign no South African side was able to progress out of the group stage, with plenty of weakened teams used.

Will this be the campaign that is different? The Stormers are first in the URC and kicked off their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on Friday.

The reactions after the game were encouraging too, with the squad and staff talking about their ambition, and the likes of South African internationals 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 have a long run in the event, yet don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in the opening round but did face Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.

The English and French Sides Serve Up a Memorable Match

There were multiple possibilities for match of the round, and that clash was right up there.

Pau have been having a superb season, led by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.

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