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Now that the opening salvo of the 2025-26 Champions Cup in the books, we explore the primary lessons stemming from the weekend's action.

Gallic supremacy has ruled the roost in recent seasons, with the previous five victors all calling home France's top flight. But, the first weekend featured a number of convincing performances from emerging rivals.

Bordeaux Look Set to Defend Their Title

Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in Europe a year ago, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the showpiece.

Positioned sixth in the domestic standings, some have suggested about their chances of defending the feat now. But, in round one, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are fully equipped of securing another trophy with a points-laden away victory in South Africa.

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

However, demonstrating their pedigree, they showed their quality in the second period, storming back to seal a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls to zero after the halftime.

Les Bleus stars phenoms Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any outfit with that pair on the edges is a threat against whoever they face.

Formidable Bath Look Capable of A Deep Run

Bath's lone victory in this competition was almost 30 years ago. In the years since, they have probably never been more prepared to secure another title.

The reigning domestic title-holders are setting the pace domestically after six games and will be aiming to carry that momentum into continental competition – on the back of a surprise group-stage exit in the last campaign.

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

They marry creative spark – sealing the try-scoring point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, keeping their visitors at a distance when they attempted a late rally.

With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and strength in depth across the team, they are surely genuine challengers for a first European trophy since 1998.

Bath's pivotal moment in the pools the previous year occurred in the next fixture, an agonising 22-21 loss at Benetton with a squad players.

After winning a domestic championship to their name and setting the pace domestically again, Van Graan may feel able to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this year.

Glasgow Give Sale a Significant Setback

There are strong teams in every pool, but the first group appears poised to be one of the tightest.

In the competition's present structure, a lot is said about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the opening night might just turn out to be vital.

The Scottish side were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries during the beginning of the second period gave them a valuable bonus-point win.

In doing so, they gave their chances of progressing a positive start and, conversely, inflicted a significant setback to Sale.

With the French giants – commanding 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, sharing the group, we are likely to see plenty of fireworks.

And as for Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They delivered one of their finest displays in Europe in recent memory to shock heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for rugby in Scotland.

Is Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Puzzle?

Should you pick one side you would expect to be there or thereabouts at the business end of the season in Europe, it would be multiple champions Leinster.

However in recent seasons it has not worked out, as they have been favourites 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 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.

It was hoped that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the key player to secure the title, but they were ambushed and experienced a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.

This year they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a scoring pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.

Is Ioane the man to return the cup to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?

Stormers Appear Prepared to Challenge

From the moment the SA franchises became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the quarter-finals, and the previous season no South African side succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with several squads not at full strength fielded.

Could this be the season that turns around? 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 positive too, with individuals involved expressing their ambition, and the likes of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the round-one win.

The Stormers look the most likely contender for a team from South Africa to have a long run in the tournament, yet write off the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in their first games but did meet formidable opponents respectively.

The English and French Sides Produce a Thrilling Contest

There were multiple possibilities for best fixture, and that clash was right up there.

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

They are currently runner-up in the French championship and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's