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

Top 14 superiority has ruled the roost in recent seasons, with the previous five victors all representing France's Top 14. But, the opening round featured several statement victories from emerging contenders.

Bordeaux Look Set to Go Back-to-Back

Current holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in this tournament a year ago, dominating Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the showpiece.

Positioned sixth in the Top 14, doubts have been raised about their capacity to retain the feat this season. However, in round one, Bordeaux served notice that they are fully equipped of securing back-to-back titles with a high-scoring win on the road in South Africa.

Handed a tough assignment at a hostile venue against a formidable Bulls side featuring stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at half-time.

But, true to their champion status, they showed their quality in the second period, storming back to claim a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls without a point after the break.

France international phenoms Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any team with those two on the flanks has a chance against whoever they face.

Formidable Bath Appear Equipped of Challenging for the Title

Bath's lone victory in the Champions Cup came almost three decades ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have arguably not been more strongly positioned to add a second star.

The current English champions are top of the pile at home after six games and will be looking to carry that momentum into continental competition – especially after a shocking early departure last year.

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

They combine offensive flair – earning the bonus point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, holding their opponents at a distance when they threatened a fightback.

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

Bath's key result in the pools last season occurred in the next fixture, an agonising 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a changed side.

Now with a league trophy in their history and top the home league, Van Graan might decide to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this season.

Glasgow Hand Sale a Major Blow

There are strong teams throughout the draw, but Pool One appears poised to be one of the tightest.

In the competition's present structure, a lot is emphasized regarding securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the opening night might just prove crucial.

The team from Scotland were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a all-important five points.

With this result, they handed their chances of progressing a significant early boost and, by contrast, inflicted a damaging defeat to the Sharks.

With the French giants – commanding 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, also in the pool, we should be in for plenty of fireworks.

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

Could Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Jigsaw?

When considering a contender you would expect to be in the mix at the sharp end of the continental campaign, it would be European giants Leinster.

However in the last few years it has not worked out, as they have shown great potential but fallen short. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites the previous campaign after building on a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.

It was hoped that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to secure the title, but they were ambushed and suffered a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the last four.

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

Could Ioane be the player to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?

Stormers Look Prepared to Challenge

Since the South African sides joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and the previous season no South African side was able to progress out of the group stage, with several rotated sides fielded.

Is this the year that turns around? The Stormers are leading the URC and kicked off their continental journey with a 26-17 triumph in France 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 Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the round-one win.

The Stormers look the best bet for a team from South Africa to go deep into the competition, but don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in the opening round but did face formidable opponents respectively.

Saints and Pau Produce a Thrilling Contest

There were several candidates for match of the round, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was among the best.

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

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